The International Cricket Council (ICC) has canceled next year’s tournament after India refused to play in host country Pakistan, a spokesman said on Tuesday. The Champions will meet this week to decide the fate of the trophy.
Earlier this month, the ICC informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that India would not tour Pakistan for the eight-team tournament, leaving the fate of the event hanging in the balance.
A Dubai-based ICC spokesman told AFP he could “confirm an ICC meeting on Friday” where the matter would be on the agenda, without providing further details.
The PCB has already rejected proposals that would have allowed India to play in a neutral third country, insisting that the full schedule from February 19 to March 9 must be played at their home ground.
The Cricket Board of India has not commented on the tournament.
Deteriorating political relations have meant that bitter rivals India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series for more than a decade – competing only in ICC multinational events.
After the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan suffered a years-long drought at home with teams refusing to tour.
International play has only fully resumed in 2020.
When Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, India’s matches were played outside the country.
But Pakistan cricket chiefs dismissed security concerns for the Champions Trophy, pointing to recent successful hosting of top teams including Australia, England and South Africa.
The Champions Trophy will be the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.