The England and Wales Cricket Board is awaiting clarification over preparations for subsequent yr’s Champions Trophy, with India extremely unlikely to conform to play in host nation Pakistan.
The eight-team match, successfully a mini 50-over World Cup, is because of be held in Pakistan in February however no schedule has been launched and one main query mark nonetheless lingers.
Political tensions between the 2 nations have led to strained sporting relations and India, cricket’s richest and strongest nation, haven’t performed a sport in Pakistan for the reason that 2008 Asia Cup.
There’s an expectation that some fixtures, together with India’s, shall be moved to the United Arab Emirates and even strategies that two venues may very well be chosen for the ultimate, relying on whether or not India make it that far.
That makes planning harder for boards, followers and media however there was no official replace from the Worldwide Cricket Council.
Talks will proceed at ICC board stage however India’s monetary leverage is such that their participation will not be thought-about negotiable, even when they refuse to play in Pakistan.
“(Play) with out India? I wouldn’t have thought so. If you happen to play the Champions Trophy with out India or Pakistan, the published rights aren’t there, and we have to defend them,” stated ECB chief government Richard Gould.
Groups in 2025 Champions Trophy
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- England
- India
- New Zealand
- South Africa
“It will not be in cricket’s pursuits for India to not be taking part in within the Champions Trophy. We’re all ready to grasp whether or not India are going to journey.
“That’s the important thing. I do know Pakistan predict India to journey however there are many completely different options and contingencies accessible if that doesn’t occur.
“Hopefully we are able to have the fullest doable competitors in Pakistan, this can be a massive second for the nation. If that’s not doable, we all know there are alternatives accessible.
“There’s geopolitics after which there’s cricketing geopolitics. I feel they’ll discover a approach. They must discover a approach. There are at all times safety issues on this a part of the world when these two nations play one another. That may most likely drive the important thing selections.”
READ MORE: Perth to host 2025-26 sequence opener in November
