The International Cricket Council (ICC), the highest authority in cricket, has promised to approve the Champions Trophy 2025 budget during its annual session in Colombo, despite mounting claims of excessive spending during the recent T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies.
There have reportedly been financial overruns and the resignation of two senior ICC executives as a result of the T20 World Cup 2024, namely related to the building of a modular stadium in New York. In light of this, the next budget approval for the Champions Trophy 2025 should strike a compromise between preserving financial responsibility and elevating cricket’s stature internationally.
The budget for the Champions Trophy 2025, painstakingly crafted by Pakistan Cricket Board CFO Javed Murtuza and ICC Chief Financial Officer Ankur Khanna, is scheduled to be presented to the ICC Board. The financial plan will be examined by the Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee (F & CA), which is led by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, before it is presented to the Board.
ICC director demands a forensic examination of the expenses associated with the New York games
The February 19–March 9 championship would be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, according to the projected budget. Nevertheless, India’s involvement is still up in the air as it awaits government clearance.
Sports ties between India and Pakistan have been strained by geopolitical tensions and security concerns; alternate arrangements, akin to the hybrid approach utilised for the Asia Cup 2023, may be necessary.
A few members of the ICC have voiced their indignation at the costs associated with the T20 World Cup games in New York. In order to ensure financial transparency at ICC, director Pankaj Khimji has requested a forensic examination of the expenses related to the pop-up stadium in New York. Eleven individuals are running for three Associate Member Director posts, which will also be elected during the annual conference.
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