Roadblocks for Pakistan's Champions Trophy Hosting Plans

Alright, Pakistan cricket is already facing a massive Test. Babar Azam is at the helm once again and they are playing New Zealand at home in the T20 series, sort of a preliminary Test before the T20 World Cup. There isn’t much time to make too many changes here on and this is the squad that needs to sharpen its skills in time for another World Cup. In fact, I’m sure some of them are still hurting from the last World Cup and what that brought with it for Pakistan cricket. Complete overhaul of the PCB, the board, the coaching staff, the selection committee and even the skipper. But now after a huge U-turn, there’s hope of stability. A hope alone. But matters outside of the team are continuing to plague Pakistan cricket. The Champions Trophy could be next year and a while away but Pakistans hopes of conducting this mega event hangs in the balance. Its OK, its very shaky ground right now and it involves India. What do I mean? Any ICC event in Pakistan means India travelling to Pakistan. That means alarm bells, problem and backup plans. Pakistan may hope all they want. The fans of cricket in Pakistan may hope all they want. But involving India is a matter that has a foregone conclusion in that it won’t happen. PCB though is adamant after a podcast wherein Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper said he would like to see India and Pakistan play bilateral series at a neutral venue. There was a PCB source who was said to have quoted saying this. Our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament. Right now till the city. There is no slot available as our team has a packed itinerary. Once they come here first, then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us. They say play Champions Trophy 1st and at home and we can think of anything else. Again, very, very ambitious because we know Pakistan is keen on Champions Trophy being hosted by them in 2025 without any glitches. We are confident we will host the Champions Trophy on schedule in Pakistan. Plans have been drawn up and work will begin soon on these three stadiums to give the fans the best experience of watching the matches at the venues. Very confident board, but for that to happen you need India to be there. Let’s face it, any ICC event thrives most on one teams presence. When it comes to the views, the fans, the stadiums being full and the engagement and excitement level being high, that’s India. They have the most following. So that brings in the numbers thanks to also the population and presence of Indian cricket fans all over the world. So that means Indias presence is key to any ICC event taking off. Then of course comes India versus Pakistan, a mega draw, more eyeballs, biggest attraction. It is the battle that is nothing short of a war. And that’s what gets most engagement to on all fronts, whether it’s the broadcasters, the ticketing, sales, marketing, the works. Pakistan wants that for their Champions Trophy and events that they are hosting for the first time, an ICC event that’s coming to them to their country for the first time since the World Cup was hosted in 1996. That’s of course before all things went South and Pakistan cricket and Pakistan became a no host zone. Even though things look like they are returning to normal. The political relationship between the two countries, India and Pakistan, when it comes to hosting bilaterals or even playing each other in Pakistan is not Pakistan says they they came to India to play the World Cup last year. So India must return the favor, Play Pakistan in Pakistan in 2025 with the Champions Trophy. But here’s the thing what we are hearing Pakistan may not have any other option other than or the choice to hold that bargaining chip. There is no bargaining here. They will have no choice but to adopt A hybrid system if they are keen to host the ICC Champions Trophy without any hiccups, which they are. So what is the solution then? What is bound to happen? Sources say it will be a hybrid setup. In all likelihood, like we saw at the Asia Cup last year. Pakistan can host matches of the Champions Trophy between, of course, seven of the eight teams or whatever is feasible. Indias matches, including the one against Pakistan will have to take place at a neutral venue, mostly UAE. The country that always is willing to step in to help India out in hosting events and matches. Whether it was the IPL some years back or the women’s T20 league before it became the WPL or certain bilateral face offs like we saw at the Asia Cup, Pakistan will try its best to avoid the situation. They want this to be Pakistans event by Pakistan in Pakistan for the Pakistan cricket fan. But if India refuses to travel, the board will have to get an approval from the government for this one to be sanctioned. Then there is little choice. So Pakistan has a massive battle on its hands already. But maybe they should take that one step at a time. Focus on the T20 World Cup at this point. That’s the big one coming up. And if all goes well there, they can target what comes next.