DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering a “Partnership Formula” proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a bid to address the deadlock over the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February-March next year.
The formula, also referred to as the “Partnership or Fusion Formula,” suggests that India play its ICC matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan, and Pakistan play its matches in Dubai instead of India, when hosted by either country, various media outlets reported while citing sources.
Under the partnership formula, Pakistan and India will play their respective matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when hosted in each other’s countries.
Sources cited by media outlets said that this arrangement would extend to all ICC events over the next three years, starting with the Champions Trophy 2025. If accepted by both the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the event would proceed as planned in three Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
Meanwhile, the ICC has reportedly advised the BCCI to accept the partnership formula, which would protect the board from legal proceedings from Pakistan.
“The cricket governing body is trying its best to resolve the matter without voting, which could take place if the PCB, ICC and BCCI do not reach a consensus,” Geo News reported while citing an informer.
According to media reports, there were fair chances of the matter’s resolution before reaching the phase of voting in a couple of days.
READ ALSO: Pakistan Opts to Bat First Against Zimbabwe in First T20I
Pakistan has made it clear that should India continue to refuse to travel for matches, it would reciprocate by boycotting future events hosted in India.
It is pertinent to mention that India will be hosting three ICC events by 2031, including Women’s World Cup 2025, co-hosting of T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka and Champions Trophy 2027.
During the ongoing talks in Dubai, the PCB has made it clear that it is not seeking any additional revenue from the ICC. The cricket board has rejected offers for a bigger share of the tournament’s earnings, instead emphasizing that its primary concern is respect, not financial gain.
The ICC held a board directors’ meeting in Dubai on Friday, which ended in less than 15 minutes.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, along with several top officials, is currently in the UAE, where Pakistan-India cricket board officials are holding behind-the-scenes meetings in an attempt to resolve the issue, according to media reports.
The tournament has become a bone of contention between Pakistan and India, with the BCCI refusing to send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns despite assurances by Pakistani authorities.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically rejected the hybrid model proposed during the virtual meeting, under which all of India’s matches would be played outside Pakistan.
According to media reports, the Indian cricket governing body had sought more time after Pakistan’s firm stance.
The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, talking to Geo News on Saturday hinted at a possible new model, based on ‘equality’.
“We will do what is best for cricket, but there is no room for one-sided arrangements. If not hybrid model, any other new model, but on the basis of equality,” Naqvi stated.
“The respect of Pakistan comes first. We cannot accept a situation where we play in India, but they refuse to come here. Whatever is decided, must set a balanced precedent for future tournaments,” he added.
Earlier India’s foreign office spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted security concerns as a primary factor in the BCCI’s hesitancy to travel to Pakistan, noting that the board had expressed doubts about the safety of a visit.
