Pakistan was awarded the Champions Trophy to be played in 2025. After the 2017 edition, the tournament was scrapped to make way for World Test Championship. However, a while back, the tournament was re-included in the Apex Council’s roster for the next few years. Pakistan, who won the 2017 title, was given the hosting rights.
However, as per fresh reports, the World Cricket Governing body members are having a verbal discussion over moving the 20-20 World Cup 2024. Apparently, the Apex Council observes that the USA, which will co-host the tournament alongside West Indies doesn’t have enough infrastructure in place. There is a discussion about whether to move the tournament to England.
As reported by News 18, if this happens, the Cricket Windies and USACA would be compensated with Champions Trophy 2025. On the other hand, the World Cricket body faced financial losses during the 2007 ODI World Cup thanks to not being able to cater to the sub-continent fans during prime time. With the Champions Trophy having to stage only a few games compared to 20-over World Cup, the tournament can be played in the far-west.
“The four-year rights for the India market alone were sold at US$3b. That’s way too much money to not get your priorities right,” say those in the know.
“The current infrastructure situation in the USA is not very encouraging. Even if they successfully host the upcoming Major League Cricket, hosting an event like the T20 World Cup is a different ball game altogether.
Where will you host the matches when the venues aren’t ready? Also, a long tournament in the far west could be a loss-making proposition for the broadcasters in the sub-continent, where the returns are highest,” says a source tracking developments from close quarters.
Will Pakistan agree to let go of the Champions Trophy?
Pakistan is yet to host a global tournament since 1996. The likes of Geoff Allardice and Greg Barcley visited the Asian country. On the other hand, the hosting countries for the next few global tournaments are yet to sign ‘hosting agreements’. This also includes 20-20 World Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, even though nothing is official yet, the reports have left the fans flummoxed.
Oh ab West Indies and USA Tak jaake choke karna hai humein nice
— Archer (@poserarcher) June 9, 2023
Han wahan jana fir bhi theek hai ?
— Nitin jain(Sachinsuperfan) (@NitinSachinist) June 9, 2023
With the current scenario and geopolitical over there
Its highly impossible to conduct any event— Jetha Hi?tler (@sterns_haschen) June 9, 2023
Indians To Pakis pic.twitter.com/La6OXzjqW0
— Narendra Modi fan (@narendramodi177) June 9, 2023
And Lahore will be added to India
— Ujjawal Athrav (@Ujjawal_athrav) June 9, 2023
Bad news for Pakistan ? now they will get beaten by India there too ?
— shubham upadhyay (@CricShubh8) June 9, 2023
Jay Shah ? pic.twitter.com/TsEqXMgJUz
— Pratham (@Pratham7340) June 9, 2023
First Asia Cup, Now This?? pic.twitter.com/7BMEjWKS7b
— Barkha Joshi (@bindasbarkha) June 9, 2023
I predicted this earlier. Pakistan is not in a situation to hold even 2-3 team tournaments.
— JP Chadda (@JP_Chadda) June 9, 2023
— Rahul (@thewon77) June 9, 2023
Pakistan fans and PCT on seeing everthing getting snached from them ? pic.twitter.com/M6AeMJzL3s
— Yash. (@yashhverse) June 9, 2023
