The International Cricket Council (ICC) will hold a virtual conference today to discuss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which remains questionable since India refused to travel to Pakistan. Pakistan may host the tournament without India, among other choices. India’s commercial value makes this unlikely.

Sports teams or contingents have been substituted owing to incapacity to participate in country-hosted events, while unusual. The 1980 Moscow Olympics lacked numerous nations. The ICC’s decisions may differ greatly from the IOC’s.

One option is for Pakistan to host most matches and India to play at a neutral venue like the UAE.

According to PCB sources, the hybrid concept has been rejected, but an ICC source said it could still be considered. If this approach is presented, the PCB will likely insist that no Pakistan matches, including the group match against India, be played outside Pakistan.

ICC sources said that a tournament without a Pakistan-India encounter will not succeed.

Relocating the event to a neutral venue or delaying it are other choices. The ICC may even suggest stripping Pakistan of hosting rights to get it to modify its attitude, something the PCB is expected to fiercely reject.

The PCB has officially requested specific and viable ideas from the ICC before Friday’s meeting. It has also requested that the BCCI explain and provide proof for India’s visit refusal in writing.

Another source verified that the PCB warned the ICC it cannot accept the hybrid model.

At Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium late Wednesday, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi promised stakeholders he will campaign for Pakistan cricket’s best interests. He also rejected the idea of changing Pakistan’s hosting rights policy to cash compensation.