After Champions Trophy 2025, it’s India vs Pakistan over IPL 2025
India and Pakistan are on a collision course over the venues for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set to take place next year. Pakistan are the original hosts of the Champions Trophy but India have made it clear that their national cricket team will not be travelling to neighbouring country and instead want the tournament to be played with a ‘hybrid model’ with all India match and the final in Dubai.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) so far have been adamant and made it clear to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the ‘hybrid model’ is not acceptable to them. As a result of this deadlock, the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to be announced by ICC.
In addition to this, the PCB now seems all set to clash over the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. India’s T20 league has a dedicated space in the ICC FTP and will take place in the months of April and May next year. With the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 getting pushed back due to the Champions Trophy scheduled around the same time, the PCB have now approached foreign cricketing boards including the England Cricket Board (ECB) to get clarity on players who will be available to play in PSL 2025.
“The owners want the PCB to give them clarity which players would be available for the PSL if the IPL is also being held at the same time and also about broadcasting schedules,” the source was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.
“The owners are worried because of lack of clarity. The England and Wales Cricket Board and some other boards are talking about restrictions on their players playing in leagues so they want clarity ahead of the PSL players draft,” the source added.
PSL set to clash with the IPL as the PSL window is likely to be moved to April and May. pic.twitter.com/TZcEivIgnA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 5, 2024
PSL is normally held in February-March but the next year’s edition has been pushed to April-May window as Pakistan is hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March. The PCB source felt there’s a fear that many of the top overseas players may not be available after IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.
He also said the franchise owners felt that due to some pressing matters, including the hosting of Champions Trophy early next year, the PCB could put the issues relating to the next PSL edition on the back burner. “Some of the franchise owners have asked Salman Naseer to follow up on the promise of setting up an independent PSL secretariat which has not happened in 10 years,” the PCB source said.
After the 10th edition of PSL next year, all the franchises and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have to revisit their agreements and financial bonds. The PCB can also add more teams to the current six-team PSL.