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.

NEW DELHI: New Zealand cricket fans had a memorable weekend as both the men’s and women’s national teams secured landmark victories.
The men’s team achieved their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years, while the White Ferns claimed the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson, who missed the first Test against India due to a groin injury, took to Instagram to congratulate both teams on their remarkable achievements.He wrote, “Criiiiickeeeet Congratulations @white_ferns, world champions! And the brothers in Bangalore, epic! Great weekend of sport.”

In the men’s Test match against India in Bengaluru, New Zealand’s bowlers Matt Henry (5/15) and William O’Rourke (4/22) skittled out the hosts for a paltry 46 runs after India elected to bat first. Contributions from Rachin Ravindra (134), Devon Conway (91), and Tim Southee (65) propelled New Zealand to 402/10, giving them a substantial 356-run lead.
Despite fine knocks from Rohit Sharma (52), Virat Kohli (70), Sarfaraz Khan (150), and Rishabh Pant (99), India could only manage 462/10, leaving New Zealand with a modest target of 106 runs. The Kiwis chased down the total comfortably, winning by eight wickets. Rachin Ravindra was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding performance.
On the other hand, the White Ferns secured their maiden T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final. After being put in to bat, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 158/5, thanks to crucial knocks from Suzie Bates (32), Amelia Kerr (43), and Brooke Halliday (38).
In the run-chase, South Africa got off to a brisk start with Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17) adding 51 runs for the opening wicket. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually restricted to 126/9, falling short by 32 runs. Amelia Kerr (3/24) and Rosemary Mair (3/25) were the standout bowlers for New Zealand, with Kerr being awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for her all-round performance.

Some fine bowling from Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson propelled New Zealand into the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a 54-run thrashing of Pakistan in their last group match on Monday.

Off-spinner Carson, who was named player of the match, took 2-7 from her three overs while Kerr ended with 3-14 as New Zealand bowled out Pakistan for just 56 in 11.4 overs.

New Zealand, who posted 110-6 off their 20 overs, became the second team from Group A to make it to the last four after holders Australia, who finished on top.

The defeat marked the end of Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying and meant that India was also eliminated, paying the price for their opening 58-run defeat by New Zealand.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. “We will certainly celebrate tonight but this is just the next stage of a tournament we are looking forward to.”

Pakistan needed to reach the target in just 10.4 overs if they were to improve their net run rate enough to overhaul the White Ferns in the table.

But they began their chase on a shaky note, losing openers Aliya Riaz, promoted up to opener, for nought and Muneeba Ali (15) inside the first five overs.

It was downhill thereafter, with Sadaf Shamas (two) being clean bowled by Fran Jonas and Iram Javed (three) being run out by a direct throw from Lea Tahuhu.

Reduced to 28-5 at the end of the powerplay, Pakistan never recovered. Skipper Fatima Sana, who was back with the team after flying home briefly to Pakistan following the death of her father, played a lone hand, making 21 in a lost cause.

“We were good with the ball but we have to improve our batting and fielding,” said Sana, reflecting on the eight catches that Pakistan put down. “We were not up to the mark. I think our seniors should step up in these kinds of matches.”

New Zealand were off to a steady start after electing to bat first, with Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17) sharing 41 runs for the opening wicket.

But Pakistan struck soon after the powerplay, dismissing both openers and Kerr (nine) in quick succession.

Pakistan paid the price for their sloppy fielding with Sidra Amin dropping a sitter off Nida Dar when Sophie Devine was on 14.

Devine, though, failed to capitalise and was scooped up by Sana at long on off Sadia Iqbal for 19.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu was the most successful bowler, picking up 3-18, including the wicket of Brooke Halliday for 22.

NEW DELHI: When Rinku Singh top-edged a fast full toss off Tanzim Sakib for a six over the wicketkeeper to bring up his half-century on Wednesday night, he animatedly pointed at his left forearm. There’s a tattoo on that forearm which reads ‘God’s plan’.
It has never been easy to be Rinku Singh – right from his humble beginnings to making a name in Indian cricket through a stellar IPL 2023.Yet, for once, it seemed he was speeding along on a freeway till Jan 2024. His initiation in international cricket made him the toast of Indian cricket. The selectors said leaving him out of the first 15 for the T20 World Cup was one of the toughest decisions.
However, he has struggled to be in the driver’s seat since the last IPL. The game time with the bat in hand has come down significantly. He has faced just 67 balls in the last 10 T20Is. In the IPL he played just 113 balls compared to 317 in IPL 2023. With cut-throat competition in Indian cricket, the fear of being forgotten is real.

“If you look at the IPL, our team was winning consistently. As long as the team is doing well, I have n o complaints,” Rinku said with a sheepish smile after the second T20I win on Wednesday. “When I come to bat with 2-3 overs left, my aim is to hit more fours and sixes. My main aim is to collect more and more runs for the team,” was his rather generic reply.
“At the position I play, I get batting at different junctures of the game. Whenever I get batting earlier, my aim is to take singles and doubles and attack the bad balls,” he said.
Credit to the team management, it ensured Rinku got time to face more balls on Wednesday. Hardik Pandya and Riyan Parag were held back, giving him the responsibility to rebuild the innings at 41/3 with another rookie Nitish Reddy at the other end.

It’s the culture in Indian cricket that gives these boys the license to kill. That probably helps them shed any inhibition that could impact their batting. “The coach and captain have asked us to play our game and whatever the situation (is), the message from them is maarte jao ball ko (just keep hitting the ball),” said Rinku.
Opportunities do come by frequently in Indian cricket but they disappear very quickly too if one fails to pounce on them. Rinku has done well to make most of the opportunities so far.

Pakistan staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their opening game of the Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in Sharjah on Thursday.

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets with Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and captain Fatima Sana all taking two each for Pakistan as Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka fell comfortably short of their target of 117.

Pakistan needed a crucial lower-order knock from Sana to post a competitive total, having slumped to 84-8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

Sugandika Kumari had both Pakistan openers caught behind off her left-arm spin and the wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.

Sohail made 18 and Nida Dar added 23 but Pakistan looked in danger of failing to reach 100 as Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu picked up three wickets with her off-spin.

Athapaththu finished with 3-18 and Kumari took 3-19 but Sana’s 30 off 20 balls, featuring three fours and a six, frustrated Sri Lanka and proved a match-winning contribution.

She was eventually dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended with 3-20.

Pakistan lost opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf strain after just one ball of the Sri Lanka innings, but her replacement Sana picked up the vital wicket of Athapaththu — caught at extra cover for six.

Sohail bowled Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera cheaply, but while Vishmi Gunaratne remained at the crease there was hope for Sri Lanka. Kavisha Dilhari holed out to long-on off Sandhu while trying to increase the run rate to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 47-4 in the 11th over.

Nilakshika Silva earned a reprieve when she was trapped lbw from a delivery called a dead ball after Sandhu’s towel fell out of her pocket.

But Gunaratne perished for 20 three balls later as she was caught just inside the boundary attempting to hit Sandhu straight down the ground.

Silva departed for 22 in the penultimate over after a top edge to short fine leg.

Neither team has ever made it out of the group stage in eight previous attempts at the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan face arch-rivals India in their next game on Sunday, while Sri Lanka take on tournament favourites Australia, who are bidding for a seventh title in nine editions.