ICC mulls ‘partnership formula’ to end Pakistan-India standoff

• The ICC has reportedly advised the BCCI to accept the formula.
• The formula will be valid for the “next 3 years” from CT 2025.
• Pakistan has already “rejected” the offer of additional money.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has started looking at the ‘partnership formula’ in a bid to end the impasse over hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, sources told Geo News on Sunday.

Under the new formula, India will play all ICC matches, which are supposed to be played in Pakistan, in Dubai and Pakistan will also play their matches, which are scheduled to be played in India, in Dubai, the sources said .

The formula will be valid for the next three years from Champions Trophy 2025, they said, adding that the issue of CT scheduling and venue is expected to be put to rest.

So, the sources said, India and Pakistan will not play any tournament in each other’s countries during this period.

It has been proposed to add this formula to the hosting agreement of both teams, they said.

The tournament, scheduled to be held in Pakistan next year, has become a bone of contention between Pakistan and India, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refusing to send its team to Pakistan, citing concerns about security despite assurances.

An online meeting convened by the ICC on November 29 aimed at resolving the issue lasted just 15 minutes with no concrete results.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically rejected the hybrid model proposed during the virtual meeting, whereby all India’s matches would be played outside Pakistan.

Sources told Geo News that the Indian cricket governing body had sought more time following Pakistan’s firm stand.

Meanwhile, the ICC has reportedly advised the BCCI to accept the formula, which will protect the board from legal proceedings from Pakistan.

“Cricket’s governing body is making every effort to resolve the matter without a vote, which could happen if the PCB, ICC and BCCI do not reach a consensus,” an insider said.

According to the sources, there was a reasonable chance of the issue being resolved before it reaches the voting stage in a few days.

“It is very likely that the need for a board meeting will not arise if the three parties agree on a formula. The other board members will likely be informed of the formula afterwards. However, the name of the formula will not be hybrid,” they said.

This should be noted that Pakistan has already rejected the offer of additional money, stressing the need to resolve the issue with respect and equality.

A day ago, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had expressed optimism that a “long-term” formula, which would be beneficial to both countries and cricket, would be created and applied to all future ICC events.

“We will not allow unilateral decisions […] Decisions should be taken on the basis of equality,” Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, had told reporters in Dubai on Saturday.