As of now, we all know that the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is set to be hosted in a hybrid model. Pakistan, the original hosts, had to bow down to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) wish. The Indian Government didn’t allow to send Team India to Pakistan, and hence, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had to make it Champions Trophy in a hybrid model.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreed to this on special condition. They wanted to make it a fair deal, putting forward the idea of all India vs Pakistan matches being held at a neutral venue. According to reports, PCB’s wish has been fulfilled by the ICC, and we might see all the high-stakes encounters between the rivals get to host in Dubai.
ICC Champions Trophy to be in a hybrid model
The ICC Champions Trophy will be held in a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in Dubai while the event spans the UAE and Pakistan, as per reports. This arrangement might have been finalised during an informal meeting between ICC President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors in Dubai.
“It’s been agreed in principle by all parties that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with India playing its matches in Dubai. It’s a win-win situation for all stakeholders,” the ICC source told PTI.
The decision comes after careful negotiations between cricket boards, particularly addressing the long-standing challenges between India and Pakistan. This arrangement is seen as a compromise that benefits all stakeholders and helps resolve long-standing political tensions between IND and PAK.
More on ICC Champions Trophy
The Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March next year, will be the first tournament to implement this new approach. Under this model, India will not travel to Pakistan, instead playing its matches in Dubai. Pakistan had initially requested a similar arrangement until 2031, but the ICC has agreed to this hybrid format for all events until 2027. The two countries have not played bilateral cricket since 2012, primarily due to ongoing political tensions stemming from the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The ICC has consistently maintained that no member board should go against government travel advisories.
Loss for India?
If the reports are true, India might face some financial loss as well. We all know that IND vs PAK matches make a bucketload of money for the hosting nation. Meanwhile, India is scheduled to host two ICC events: the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“During the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka. The compensation demanded by PCB for the Champions Trophy hybrid model is still under consideration,” the source said.
PCB’s demands to BCCI & ICC
- The Pakistan cricket team won’t play their matches in India in upcoming ICC events
- Compensation from ICC for moving 5 games outside of Pakistan, especially for the India vs Pakistan match which was scheduled to be played in Lahore
- India plays a tri-series with Pakistan and another nation in a neutral venue (likely UAE)
- India and Pakistan are named in separate groups of the Champions Trophy 2025; currently they are in Group A with New Zealand and Bangladesh
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