The Pakistan cricket team will reportedly skip the 2026 World Cup which is scheduled to be hosted by India if the neighbours don’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue are unlikely to travel to the neighbouring country for the marquee event that is scheduled to be held between February-March 2025. Additionally, the BCCI is likely to urge the ICC to adopt a hybrid model for CT 2025 that will allow India to play their matches in another country and not in Pakistan.
Will Pakistan skip 2026 World Cup in India?
As per Geo News Urdu, Pakistan will not travel to India in 2026 if the latter don’t visit the country for CT 2025. This comes ahead of the ICC’s annual conference which will be held in Colombo between July 19-22 where the PCB is set to oppose any plans for a hybrid model for CT 2025. Pakistan is hell bent on hosting the entire tournament and is tipped off to vehemently oppose any alterations to that plan.
India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup following which political tensions between the two countries forced the latter to not travel to the neighbouring nation for any series or events.
Will ICC adopt a hybrid model?
A similar dilemma occurred for the ICC during the Asia Cup 2023 when the BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan. The ICC proposed a hybrid model, which was accepted by both parties. However, Pakistan missed out on hosting the semi-final and final matches.
