No country, including India, raised any concerns about the proposed schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan during the ICC Board meeting in Dubai last month, held alongside the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Minutes from the board meeting indicate that the schedule, also approved by ICC broadcasters, was shared with all participating teams, and no objections were raised, highly placed sources confirmed.

“A match schedule has been developed in conjunction with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The 15 matches are to be hosted across three venues in Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.

“The match schedule has been approved by ICC’s main broadcast partner, Star, and each participating team has received a copy of their schedule for the event. No member has raised any concerns with the schedule as circulated,” it stated.

A source in Islamabad with knowledge of the matter suggested that recent developments, including India’s verbal communication to the cricket’s regulatory body about its inability to travel to Pakistan, may point to “mala fide intentions” aimed at creating disruption ahead of the Champions Trophy.

“There was no discussion of such concerns during the ICC Board meeting, the appropriate forum to address such matters. Yet, just as Pakistan was set to host an event marking 100 days to the tournament, the BCCI informed the ICC of its position verbally,” the source said.

The source further confirmed that a high-profile event was planned for November 11 to unveil the match schedule, event identity, and trophy tour.

During the October board meeting, the PCB had also provided updates on the progress of development work at the three venues.

The source added that the ICC had also green-signalled the PCB to host an international testing event at all three venues before the Champions Trophy which the PCB was planning to hold in January.

Before the October meeting, the PCB and ICC had jointly briefed security managers from all participating teams on the tournament’s master security plan. No objections were raised at any stage, the source added.

The PCB, meanwhile, is awaiting a response from the ICC to a questionnaire sent two days back following India’s verbal communication to the ICC about its inability to travel to Pakistan.

“The delay in ICC’s reply suggests there is no written communication from the BCCI. If such a document existed, it would have been shared with the PCB by now. It has been two days since PCB wrote to the ICC,” the source noted.

“Pakistan was announced as the host of the Champions Trophy long ago, and the host agreement was signed in December 2023. Why didn’t the BCCI consult its government about travelling to Pakistan when the event was announced? Why wait until the last minute?” the source questioned.

With less than 100 days to go before the ICC Champions Trophy, the uncertainty surrounding the schedule is not only frustrating cricket fans globally but also affecting stakeholders with commercial interests tied to the tournament.

“A lot of branding and brand activation activities are currently on hold due to this uncertainty,” another source said.

The final schedule, though already shared with participating teams and broadcasters, for the Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to be announced, officially.

Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi on Wednesday, soared to the summit of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings.

Shaheen, who took eight wickets at an average of 12.62 in Pakistan’s historic ODI series victory over Australia, jumped three places to replace South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj – dropped two places to third – at the summit, while Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan remained second.

Afridi has previously held the top spot during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

His bowling partner, Haris Rauf, who was named the Player of the Series in Pakistan’s 2-1 routing of Australia, improved 14 places to 13th and achieved a career-high rating in the format, while compatriot Naseem also rose to a new-high as he jumped 14 plays to a joint 55th.

Following Afridi’s rise to the top, the top-ranked players in both batting and bowling rankings are now from Pakistan as star batter Babar Azam continued his dominance.

The right-handed batter extended his lead atop from India’s Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, respectively, courtesy of his 80 runs across three matches against Australia, in which he was dismissed only once.

Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan also made gains as he jumped two spots to a joint 23rd in the ODI batting rankings following his 74 runs in three innings against Australia.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s veteran Mohammad Nabi, who is set to call time on his glittering ODI career, remained at the top of the all-rounders’ rankings. He is followed by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and compatriot Rashid in the list.

Pakistan spinner Noman Ali has been named as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October 2024, edging out South African pacer Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner to claim the honor.

The 37-year-old left-arm orthodox bowler played an important role in Pakistan’s thrilling 2-1 Test series over England on home soil.

Noman’s outstanding performances across the series saw him take 20 wickets at an impressive average of 13.85, helping Pakistan secure their first Test series win at home since 2021.

“It is a great honour to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” Noman said in a statement.

“I am deeply grateful to my teammates who supported me throughout this historic home Test series victory against England. Such wins are always special for the team and the country.”

Noman’s heroics were highlighted by two remarkable Test performances. In the second Test, with Pakistan defending a target of 297, he claimed his career-best figures of 8/46, dismantling England’s batting lineup and securing Pakistan’s victory.

In the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi, Noman made a critical contribution with the bat, scoring a resilient 45 runs at No.9 to give Pakistan a 77-run first-innings lead.

He followed this with a match-winning six-wicket haul, bowling England out for just 112 to seal the series with a dominant nine-wicket win.

Noman is the first Pakistani male cricketer to win the ICC Player of the Month award since Babar Azam in August 2023.

India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year may trigger a strong response from the Pakistan government that may ask its cricket board to withdraw from the tournament, according to a report in ‘Dawn’.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), informing them about the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision that the Indian team won’t travel to Pakistan for the tournament, which is scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
The Champions Trophy, which is making its return to the ICC calendar after 2017, could be turned into a ‘hybrid’ model, with India playing all their matches at a different venue, most likely in the UAE, while the rest of the tournament is hosted by Pakistan.
The report states that the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has “ruled out the possibility” of a hybrid model, which could force the ICC to move the entire tournament out of Pakistan.
That may lead to Pakistan pulling out of the Champions Trophy.
“In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” the report quoted its source.
Naqvi is also an interior minister in the country’s federal government.
India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012, but continued to face off in ICC tournaments, including the ODI World Cup last year in India.
Notably, the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan last year was also turned into a hybrid model after India refused to play in Pakistan. India then played all their matches in Sri Lanka.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, unveiled the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month Award for October 2024, including Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

Noman faces a stiff competition from South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, the other two nominated players, who delivered stellar performances that led their respective sides to historic victories.

Noman was one of the four late additions made to the Pakistan squad after the home side succumbed to an innings and 47 runs defeat in the series opener against England.

The left-arm spinner played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s astounding comeback by taking 20 wickets in the remaining two Tests at 13.85 as the home side clinched the three-match series 2-1.

His 20 wickets featured magnificent match figures of 11/147 and 9/130.

The 38-year-old also made handy contributions with the bat, the highlight of which was his 45-run knock in the first innings of the final Test.

South Africa’s Rabada, who recently returned to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings, starred in his side’s historic 2-0 away Test series victory over Bangladesh.

Rabada accumulated 19 wickets at a brilliant average of 9.00 with the help of two five-wicket hauls.

The right-arm pacer embarked on the away series with a three-wicket haul in the first innings of the opening Test and backed it up with a six-wicket haul in the second innings, followed by a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the second Test.

Meanwhile, Santner, despite playing just one Test over the month for New Zealand, made his presence felt.

The left-arm spinner ran through India’s strong batting unit in the second Test by claiming five-wicket hauls in each innings and his career-best Test figures, all at a magnificent average of 12.07.

After making a note-worthy contribution with the bat in New Zealand’s first innings, Santner ran through India by claiming 7-53 — his best in an innings.

Defending 359 in the fourth innings, the southpaw bagged another six wickets to register match figures of 13/157. His match-winning effort earned him the Player of the Match award.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has been named the Men’s Player of the Month for September 2024 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for scoring 451 runs from his four Test matches last month, whereas, England’s Tammy Beaumont won the same title in women’s category who smashed 279 runs in five outings.

Mendis continued a record-breaking streak in Test cricket during September to win the title, while Beaumont starred in England’s short format success in Ireland to secure the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.

Both players win their respective accolades for the second time — Mendis having previously won in March 2024, with Beaumont backing up her other previous award in February 2021.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder won from fellow nominees Travis Head of Australia and compatriot Prabath Jayasuriya, while Beaumont overcame Ireland’s Aimee Maguire and UAE’s Esha Oza to win September’s prize.

According to the ICC statement, Mendis’ win also caps a fruitful period for Sri Lankan cricketers in the monthly award, following Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama’s success in August.

The 26-year-old has been in red-hot form in the longest format throughout 2024 and continued his fine progress with another landmark month at the crease for Sri Lanka.

Mendis registered 451 runs at an average of 90.20 from his four Tests last month, spanning crucial ICC World Test Championship series in England and subsequently on home soil against New Zealand.

Scores of 74 and 64 were standout moments in Mendis’ September contests in England, but he left his best performances as Sri Lanka overcame New Zealand at his hometown of Galle — first striking a brilliant 114 on the opening day of the first Test on a challenging surface, and then going one better with a composed 182 in the innings victory in the second encounter.

His mammoth innings in the second Test meant Mendis became the first player to pass fifty in each of his first eight Tests, and the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs.

After winning the title, Mendis said: “I am honoured to be once again chosen as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, and this accolade brings me immense happiness and pride, as I believe all the hard work that was put into becoming the player that I am today is starting to pay off and being recognized consistently in the global stage.”

“This recognition gives me further strength to continue my good work on the cricketing field and aspire for bigger achievements, thus helping my team win games and bring glory to our country and happiness to our fans.”

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Beaumont smashed 279 runs from her five outings against Ireland in September, highlighting her credentials as one of England’s most fearsome short format batters.

A subdued performance in the first contest was corrected in the match that followed, with Beaumont’s explosive array of stroke play on show in a dazzling 150 from 139 balls atop the order.

With the series won, Beaumont struck another half-century in the final ODI before scores of 27 and 40 came in the T20I series in which the honours were shared.

The win sees Beaumont become the first English winner of the Women’s Player of the Month award since Maia Bouchier won back in March.

Reacting to her award win, she said: “Thank you to everyone who voted for me as ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September. It was a great tour in Ireland with an inexperienced England team and it was really nice to contribute personally.”

“I saw firsthand how well Aimee Maguire bowled for Ireland and she fully deserved the nomination. Congratulations to Esha Oza too.”

Mendis and Beaumont won following a vote conducted among global fans registered at the cricket council’s website and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal has made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to temporarily hold the top position in the ICC T20 player rankings.

The spinner achieved this milestone by surpassing England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who has dominated the rankings since February 2020.

Sadia Iqbal briefly took the lead in the rankings after taking three wickets for just 17 runs in the opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka.

However, by the end of the week, Ecclestone regained her position, leaving Iqbal in second place.

The two bowlers are separated by a mere eight rating points, with Ecclestone currently at 762 and Iqbal at 754.

With the ongoing mega event, there is a possibility that Saadia Iqbal could reclaim the top position once again.

This year has been outstanding for Iqbal, who has taken 28 wickets in 17 matches, making her one of the most formidable bowlers in the T20 format.

Notably, former Pakistan captain Sana Mir is the only other Pakistani woman to have held the top position in the ICC ODI player rankings, achieving this in 2018-19.