Credits: PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could incur heavy losses if the team pulls out of the Champions Trophy 2024-25 as the hosts. Amid the ongoing saga regarding the hosting of the ICC tournament, reports started doing rounds that the South Asian country could withdraw from the event as the ICC agreed to host it in hybrid format. It was the only solution after India refused to travel across the border due to security reasons.
However, the 2017 champions could face heavy losses if they decided to pull out their name as hosts for the forthcoming season. A senior administrator, who is well versed with the organisation of ICC events, revealed the nitty-gritty of PCB’s agreement with the ICC. He told PTI, "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.”
ICC accepted Hybrid Model in principle
Notably, the ICC reached a consensus to conduct the eight-team competition in a Hybrid Model. According to it, India will play all its matches in Dubai and agreed “in principle” to a similar kind of arrangement for multi-lateral events till 2027. It means that Pakistan won’t be obligated to travel to India for any ICC event till 2027. However, there is no official confirmation by the Dubai-based governing body.
According to the broadcaster deal, at least one India-Pakistan match has to be scheduled in all ICC events. According to the administrator, "The estimated bid a broadcaster makes for a long-term deal with the ICC is only after he has calculated the estimated value of all matches involving all countries. It is no surprise that the broadcaster offsets his loss of revenues from other matches with the estimated earnings from selling commercial spots and other rights for the Pakistan and India fixtures."
He added, "PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has to come clean on the whole issue. MPAs 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.”
