Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet BCCI Secretary and future ICC Chairman Jay Shah soon to discuss key aspects of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan. A significant topic of the meeting will be India’s participation, as the team has not yet confirmed whether they will travel to Pakistan for the event.

When Will the Meeting Take Place?

The meeting between Naqvi and Shah is scheduled to take place during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 finals on October 20. The two are expected to discuss India’s involvement in the tournament, as it would be the first time since 2008 that India would potentially travel to Pakistan. While Pakistan has recently traveled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023, the last time India visited Pakistan was over a decade ago. During the Asia Cup 2023, which Pakistan hosted, the BCCI had declined to send Indian cricketers, highlighting the complex relationship between the two cricket boards.

Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule and Arrangements

The ICC has reviewed and approved arrangements at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Gadaffi Stadium, and National Stadium for the tournament. The PCB is now eagerly awaiting the final approval of the tournament schedule, which is expected to be held from February to March 2025. In talks with ICC officials, the PCB has emphasized the importance of timely finalization to ensure smooth logistical planning for the event.

With this upcoming meeting, all eyes are on how the discussions will shape India’s potential participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its Apex Council Meeting on September 25, where Jay Shah’s replacement as BCCI secretary is not on the agenda. Jay Shah, who was recently elected as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, will assume the new role on December 1, 2024. However, he will continue as BCCI secretary for another two months.

Though the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) is set for September 29 in Bengaluru, where the board could have elected a new secretary, the matter will be postponed. The BCCI plans to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) in November or December to elect Shah’s successor after he officially transitions to his ICC role.

Agenda for the Apex Council Meeting:

1. Byju’s Payment Issue: BCCI will address its ongoing dispute with ed-tech firm Byju’s over non-payment of dues for jersey sponsorship. Despite signing a $55-million deal in 2019, Byju’s failed to make payments after September 2022, leading the BCCI to take legal action. Although a settlement was reached in July, the Supreme Court later issued a stay on the agreement.
2. National Cricket Academy (NCA): The meeting will also include discussions on plans for a new National Cricket Academy, aiming to enhance India’s cricket infrastructure.
3. Renovation of BCCI Headquarters: Another topic of discussion will be the renovation of the BCCI’s headquarters in Mumbai.

BCCI vs Byju’s

The BCCI’s legal battle with Byju’s over unpaid dues remains unresolved. After Byju’s failed to meet the terms of its $55-million sponsorship agreement, the BCCI took the matter to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLT). A settlement was agreed upon, with the BCCI expecting ₹158 crore by August 8. However, a stay order from the Supreme Court, prompted by Byju’s US lender GLAS Trust Co LLC, has delayed the payment.

As Jay Shah prepares to assume the ICC chairman role, the BCCI faces significant decisions in the coming months, with the next secretary election likely to take place closer to December.

As BCCI Secretary Jay Shah is set to become the next ICC Chairman, the organization is grappling with a significant issue involving its broadcast rights deal with Star India. Shah is expected to formally assume the role in December 2024, but tensions are rising over the renegotiation of a substantial $4.46 billion deal.

Key Developments

• Upcoming ICC Chair: Jay Shah is poised to succeed Greg Barclay as ICC Chairman. Barclay, who has served since November 2020, will step down at the end of November 2024.
• Election Process: ICC directors are required to submit nominations for the new chair by August 27, 2024. If there are multiple candidates, an election will be held. The new chair’s term begins on December 1, 2024.

Broadcast Deal Controversy

• Star India’s Position: Star is seeking a significant reduction in the valuation of its broadcast deal. This move comes in response to dissatisfaction with high operational costs from the ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA.
• Previous Agreement: In 2022, Star secured broadcasting rights for ICC events from 2024 to 2027, intending to sell part of these rights to ZeeTV to aid Zee’s merger with Sony. However, the merger fell through, leaving Star as the sole rights holder.
• Financial Implications: The collapse of the ZeeTV deal means Star is now responsible for the entire payment, leading to its request for a substantial cut in the deal’s valuation.

Impact on ICC

The dispute with Star could affect the ICC’s financial stability and operations. As Shah prepares to step into the chairmanship, resolving this broadcast deal issue will be a critical challenge for his upcoming tenure.