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The International Cricket Council is preparing for the possibility of the Indian team declining to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year and approved a budget of approximately $65 million. The decision was reportedly taken at the ICC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo.
This budget includes the costs of hosting a few games outside of Pakistan. Team India could reject the prospect of travelling to Pakistan due to political tensions between the two countries. Hence the ICC have been pushed to take the decision, as per Cricbuzz.
The report quoted the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) note that said, "PCB has signed Host Agreement and has worked with management to draft an event budget which is submitted F&CA for approval. Management has also approved an estimate of the increase in the cost of staging the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan."
The ICC, however, did not discuss what will be the venue/venues 'outside Pakistan.' The CEC note further said, "A planning meeting and inspection of proposed match venues took place in Pakistan in March 2024. A significant amount of renovation work is underway in all three venues to upgrade facilities," as per Cricbuzz.
Speaking about the budget approximately $35 million has been allotted for the competition. $20 million is allocated for participation and prize money. Another $10 million has been set aside for the production costs of televising the tournament .
