The PCB may have to face lawsuits from the ICC if they decide to withdraw from the Champions Trophy which is scheduled to be held in February 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can face major revenue losses, lawsuits and can even be alienated from the cricket world if they decide to withdraw from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
With the future of the ICC tournament still in the air due to the stand-off between PCB and BCCI, a senior cricket administrator told PTI that it will not be easy for Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy if the hybrid model is not accepted in its entirety by ICC and BCCI.
“Pakistan has not only signed a host agreement with the ICC but like all other participating nations in the event it has also signed a mandatory members participation agreement (MPA) with the ICC,” the administrator said.
“It is only after a member nation signs the MPA for playing in an ICC event that it is eligible to get a share of revenues earned from ICC events. Most importantly when the ICC signed a broadcasting deal for all its events rights it has given a guarantee to them that all ICC members are available to play in their events including the Champions Trophy,” the administrator added.
The administrator said that if Pakistan were to withdraw from the tournament, then it could face potential lawsuits from the ICC. He added that the PCB even faces a risk of alienation as other boards are not in favour of their hybrid model formula.
“PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has to come clean on the whole issue. MPA’s are the same for all countries and unless the PCB has kept some safeguard clauses in their host agreement with the ICC for the CT they face a tricky situation,” the administrator said.
Last week, it was reported that the PCB and BCCI had finally reached an agreement. Reports stated that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be played in hybrid mode where India will play their share of matches in Dubai.
However, it was also decided that the Pakistan team will not be travelling to India for the ICC events that the country will host till 2027 and will also play their share of matches at a neutral venue.
