ICC under broadcaster's pressure to unveil Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI had previously commented that the teams' travel will solely rely on Indian government’s decision. As it stands out, the government has not given clearance for the team to cross the border owing to security concerns.

With this development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is left livid, and it has warned the International Cricket Council (ICC) that Pakistan team will boycott future ICC events. On the other hand, ICC is being pestered by the broadcasters to release the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule as soon as possible.

Broadcasters secured rights for ICC events through 2027 in a whopping US$3 billion deal. The deal also boasted the eye grabbing encounters between India and Pakistan. The ICC was to release the schedule of Champions Trophy earlier this week, but the Indian government not approving the Men in Blue’s travel became a hurdle in unveiling the schedule. The broadcasters await the same to carry on with their marketing and commercials, according to The Nation, Pakistan.

PCB seeks government advice as India refuse to travel 

It is worth noting that, India last travelled to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2008, but the relationship between both countries sour after Pakistan was held responsible for Mumbai attacks in 2008. They last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 (played in India) and since then, the arch-rivals have only met at the ICC events. This is one of the major reasons for the viewership to skyrocket when the Asian giants meet. Moreover, ICC has also made sure that both nations are placed in the same group of any tournament to leverage the hype.

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"The PCB has received an email from the ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance,” said a PCB spokesperson as quoted by BBC Sport.