ICC cancels 2025 Champions Trophy event in Lahore? Here’s what latest reports say

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly decided to cancel an event related to the 2025 Champions Trophy, mainly due to the hiccups in scheduling, especially for India games. The event was supposed to be announced on November 11 in Lahore.

Based on latest reports, the organisers were about to launch a 100-day countdown event. But with the BCCI reportedly not willing to travel to Pakistan over security concerns, the organisers faced complications.

"The schedule is not confirmed, we are still in discussions with the host and participating nations on the Champions Trophy schedule. Once confirmed we will announce through our normal channels," an official close to the developments told Cricbuzz.

"It was only a trophy tour flag off and tournament/branding launch," said an official downplaying the controversy surrounding the schedule and the non-starting event on November 11. “That (the event) is still in the works — though may be rescheduled because of Lahore outdoor activities are difficult right now."

It is also understood that another reason for ICC’s delay in launching the event is the current weather in Lahore. The second-largest city in Pakistan has been experiencing ‘unprecedented’ pollution levels with the local government announcing a week’s holiday for all primary schools. 

Earlier, it was reported that the BCCI has already informed the ICC about their decision to not travel to Pakistan for the showpiece event. The BCCI has reportedly informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the Indian government’s denial of permission to travel to Pakistan for the showpiece event.

However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi told media that they have not received any official mail regarding the same. In case India do not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the PCB would be left with no other option but to hold the event in a ‘hybrid model’ like they did for the 2023 Asia Cup.    

“This is an ICC event, and BCCI has informed the global body that it won’t travel to Pakistan. It will depend on the ICC to inform the host nation about the development and then close in on the scheduling of the tournament. The convention is to announce the schedule 100 days prior to the commencement of the event,” a BCCI source told PTI.