ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to Follow Hybrid Model: India and Pakistan Reach Agreement

Mumbai- In a significant breakthrough, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid model for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ending months of speculation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reached a consensus to implement this format, ensuring participation while addressing political sensitivities.

Under this arrangement, India will play all its matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, while the remainder of the tournament will be hosted in Pakistan. This decision comes after the Indian government declined to permit the Indian cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, leaving the hybrid model as the only viable solution.

Unified Protocol for ICC Tournaments

The PCB successfully argued for a unified policy across ICC tournaments involving India and Pakistan. Consequently, Pakistan has agreed not to send its team to India for ICC events hosted there, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Pakistan's matches in these tournaments will instead be played at neutral venues.

Looking Ahead to T20 World Cup 2026

Both boards have also agreed in principle that Pakistan will not travel to India for its group-stage matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup. As a precedent, Pakistan will play its games in neutral venues such as Colombo for future tournaments.

No Compensation for PCB

Despite the hybrid model, the PCB will not receive compensation for the arrangement. ICC sources revealed that a virtual meeting, attended by key officials including BCCI Secretary Jay Shah from Brisbane, solidified the decision.

Historical Context

India and Pakistan have not toured each other since the 2008 Asia Cup due to diplomatic and security concerns. The Champions Trophy 2025 was seen as a potential flashpoint for cricket diplomacy. However, the hybrid model represents a pragmatic approach to ensure the tournament’s smooth execution.