Due to socio-political instability, the Sri Lanka A squad chose not to play the final two 50-over matches against Pakistan A on Tuesday, dealing a serious blow to Pakistan’s claims of successfully hosting international cricket in the nation.
Following recent political tensions in Pakistan that led to the Sri Lanka A ending their white-ball series, sources told IANS that the 2025 Champions Trophy is probably going to be shifted out of Pakistan entirely. A virtual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board, which will determine the 2025 Champions Trophy calendar, is scheduled for the day before the development. The possibility of the event being moved outside of Pakistan looms as several other participating nations voice security concerns. In response to pressure, the PCB is probably going to agree to organize it using a hybrid approach. “A few other cricket boards have voiced their concerns as well. According to reports, PCB might accept a hybrid model, IANS said.
The Sri Lanka A squad chose not to play the last two 50-over matches against Pakistan A on Tuesday due to socio-political instability in the country’s federal capital region, which dealt a serious blow to Pakistan’s claims of successfully hosting international cricket in the nation.
The odds of Pakistan hosting their first ICC event since 1996 appear slim in the wake of this tragedy. The capital of Pakistan is currently under tight lockdown after a significant number of followers of cricketer and imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan besieged the city, with many of them breaking in.This incident made it even more impossible to host the major tournament in the nation after India refused to cross the border to play in the Champion Trophy, and it now appears more likely that the ICC would take over the hosting rights.
Following the 2013 attack on the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team, international teams declined to visit Pakistan for over ten years. Only lately have teams from England, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka sent brief tours.
The cancelation of the Sri Lanka Due to safety concerns, a tour will make the Champions Trophy hesitant to visit Pakistan.
