While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has softened his stance, there is one condition that could ruin the ICC Champions Trophy agreement. To accept a hybrid model for the tournament, PCB wants ICC to increase its revenue share from 5.75% to align with its concession.
As InsideSport reported earlier, Naqvi is open to the hybrid model but has put multiple conditions. Speaking to the reporters in Dubai, Nqvi did not confirm switching to a hybrid model for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. But he confirmed that the efforts are on to “ensure a win-win for all”. The PCB and the BCCI have both conveyed their inputs to the ICC and a decision is expected by Monday.
“We are committed to a solution where cricket wins but Pakistan’s dignity remains intact. I don’t want to comment too much because that can ruin things. We have given our point of view, the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all,” Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Dubai.
Hybrid model with T&C
While PCB has accepted switching the ICC Champions Trophy to a hybrid model, there are terms and conditions that apply. For starters, India will have to play all their matches in Dubai. If India fail to qualify for the knockouts, Lahore becomes the default venue for the semifinal and the final. But most importantly, PCB has clarified that Pakistan won’t travel to India for any future ICC events. All events must have a hybrid model.
3 conditions by Pakistan
- Neutral venue for Pakistan for all ICC events hosted by India until 2031
- Lahore to host Champions Trophy semifinal and final if India fail to qualify
- Dubai to host all India’s matches
- Increase revenue share from 5.75%
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Heart of the matter
As expected, the Govt of India has refused to grant permission to the BCCI to send the India Cricket Team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. Hence, the BCCI wrote to the ICC, requesting a hybrid model where India could play their games at a neutral venue.
Following BCCI’s letter, ICC called for a meeting to resolve the matter. However, the first meeting only lasted about 15 minutes before being adjourned as the BCCI and the PCB could not come to an agreement. The postponed meeting could not take place on Saturday either as both boards continued to consult their respective governments.
Now, a solution is expected by Dec 2 as PCB has now relented under pressure. It’s also a relief for the ICC as no India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy would have meant huge financial losses for both the ICC and its broadcaster.
“Let’s see what happens. My effort is to ensure that there is no one-sided system. It shouldn’t be that we travel to India and they don’t come to our country. The idea is to settle it once and for all on equal terms,” Mohsin Naqvi told reporters.
Demand for increased revenue share
However, there is another condition that PCB has put up to the ICC. The PCB wants its annual revenue share to be increased from 5.75% or $34.5 million. BCCI earns the most from ICC’s annual revenue share at 38.5% or $230 million.
PCB wants the ICC to treat the increase in revenue share as compensation for not hosting the ICC Champions Trophy entirely in Pakistan.
“The current situation is that PCB has said that it will only accept hosting the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model if the board agrees that in future all ICC events will be on the same system with Pakistan not going to India to play matches. Pakistan also wants the ICC board to increase its financial cycle share of revenues from 5.75% and Naqvi is insistent on this but he has not sought any additional hosting fees,” a PCB source told PTI.
ICC Revenue Share
Country Revenue Share (Million $) Revenue Share % India 231.00 38.50 Associate Nations 67.16 11.19 England 41.33 6.89 Australia 37.53 6.25 Pakistan 34.51 5.75 New Zealand 28.38 4.73 West Indies 27.50 4.58 Sri Lanka 27.12 4.52 Bangladesh 26.74 4.46 South Africa 26.24 4.37 Ireland 18.04 3.01 Zimbabwe 17.64 2.94 Afghanistan 16.82 2.80
Conclusion: The challenges
While the first three demands are likely to be met, the increase in revenue share could be met with challenges. Outgoing BCCI Secretary Jay Shah will take charge as the new ICC Chairman. And he could be key to changing the revenue share model.
But if PCB remains firm on the increase in revenue share, ICC could stare at a Champions Trophy without Pakistan. However, that could damage ICC’s reputation and financial losses.
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