India yet to sign ICC Member Participation Agreement for 2024-31 cycle

As the International Cricket Council (ICC) plan their course of action to release the media rights tender later in June, ICC President Greg Barclay, who is currently in India to have a pre-tender discussion with the potential future broadcasters in India, stated that not all ICC full members have signed the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) for the seven-year cycle. Cricbuzz reported that India are among the boards, that are yet to sign the agreement, with the 2025 Champions Trophy being slated in Pakistan - something that hasn't gone down well with the top brass in the Indian government.

"No not yet, they have not signed the MPA," Barclay told Cricbuzz. "It is part of a process. There is still time to sign. Absolutely."

"Strategically we have allocated events around the world, including Pakistan. We are excited about all of them participating. We are expecting that all teams will participate. That is what I can do, I hope that they all will be there."

In November last year, the ICC confirmed the 14 host countries of the ICC men's white-ball events from 2024-2031, with Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025. However, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur had then said that the Indian government and the Home Ministry will take a call on India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan in due course.

"Even in past, many countries have refused to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. As you all know, many players were even attacked while playing over there and that's a big issue to be dealt with," Thakur had said then.