What happens if Pakistan decides to pull out of Champions Trophy 2025?

There is no end in sight to the deadlock that surrounds Champions Trophy 2025. It was reported a few days ago that the Pakistan Cricket Board is ready to go with a hybrid system. The PCB had put forward four proposals to BCCI and ICC after agreeing to the hybrid model that the Indian cricket team wanted. 

If Pakistan does decide to pull out, then they could face huge financial penalties. One source, while speaking to PTI, said, “Pakistan has not only signed a host agreement with the ICC but like all other participating nations in the event, it has also signed a mandatory Members Participation Agreement (MPA) with the ICC.”

The source also added, “It is only after a member signs the MPA for playing in an ICC event that it is eligible to get a share of the revenues from ICC events. Most importantly, when the ICC signed a broadcast deal for all its events, it has given a guarantee that all its ICC members are available to play in their events, including Champions Trophy.”

Pakistan have their backs against the wall?

There is a lot riding on the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has been facing financial difficulties. If they do pull out of Champions Trophy 2025, then they will be hit with a huge setback to their financial coffers. This despite BCCI's willingness to use the hybrid model for any ICC event that is held in India. It was reported that Pakistan will play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka. 

Yet another official, while speaking to the media, said, “The estimated bid a broadcaster makes for long-term deal with ICC is only after he has calculated the estimated value of all matches with the estimated earnings from selling commercial spots and other rights for the Pakistan and India matches.”

Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif has urged PCB to pull out of the event before BCCI does so. The Times of India quoted Latif as saying, “Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore.”

Rashid Latif also said, “We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB, and ICC are the same as they can’t fight against the BCCI. They have got the chance to push Pakistan at the front. We have joined hands and are fighting against it, but the only fear is that if India boycotts, where do we stand?”