The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given Pakistan an ultimatum to either accept a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy or risk losing out on hosting India's games. This comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected any plans for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns. The emergency meeting on Friday remained inconclusive, with further discussions scheduled for Saturday. This decision could have major financial implications for Pakistan, as they would lose out on hosting fees and gate receipts, as well as a significant portion of their annual revenue.
Pakistan Faces ICC Ultimatum on Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued an ultimatum to Pakistan, demanding that the country accept a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy or risk losing the opportunity to host India's games. This ultimatum came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed security concerns and refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Background
Pakistan was initially scheduled to host the entire Champions Trophy, which is set to take place from June 4 to 18, 2023. However, due to ongoing security concerns in the country, the BCCI raised objections to the tournament being held in Pakistan. The ICC subsequently explored alternative options, including shifting the tournament to a different location or implementing a hybrid model.
Hybrid Model
A hybrid model would involve dividing the tournament between two countries. For example, the group stage and semi-finals could be held in Pakistan, while the final could be played in a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates. This would allow Pakistan to host a portion of the tournament while addressing the security concerns raised by the BCCI.
ICC Ultimatum
The ICC has given Pakistan until Saturday, February 4, to accept the hybrid model. If Pakistan refuses, the ICC will consider moving the entire tournament to another country. This would result in Pakistan losing out on hosting fees, gate receipts, and a significant portion of its annual cricket revenue.
Financial Implications
Hosting the Champions Trophy was expected to generate substantial revenue for Pakistan. The country stands to lose an estimated $100 million if the tournament is shifted elsewhere. This would be a major financial blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which relies heavily on revenue from hosting international matches.
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