The upcoming Champions Trophy has run into an enormous problem this week after the BCCI is said to have turned down a demand by the PCB. The PCB had initially accepted a hybrid idea for the Champions Trophy but later suggested that out of all their matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan would not play any match in India. This tournament is said to be held in India and Sri Lanka simultaneously.
As per the latest report of a news agency, the BCCI has squarely rejected the offer from the PCB, saying that there is no security issue in India where the Pak players could be a target. The BCCI has clearly opposed the notion of opting for a bio-secure venue model hybrid for any of the ICC games and stated that India continues to remain a safe and secure place for international cricket to be held.
The disagreement is more significant because both boards are preparing for several more major ICC tournaments in the near future. India will be hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup next year, the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the Champions Trophy in 2029. The PCB had expected that a good compromise for the Champions Trophy would show the way for future tournaments, admit. But it seems that the firm stand from the BCCI has ended that prospect.
The ICC has been trying to get involved in solving the conflict, and there are rumours that an emergency meeting of the board could be held to discuss the hybrid model. But when such a meeting would be possible is still a question. A meeting held on Friday ended inconclusively when the PCB rejected the BCCI’s offer to compromise.
This conflict only increased the rivalry between these two cricket boards and It would severely be dangerous for future ICC events if the solution is not found shortly. Thus, the challenge now fully rests with the ICC, with both brutal sides sticking to their guns over the matter.
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