A breakthrough has emerged between Pakistan and India over the matter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to adopt the hybrid model, ESPNcricinfo, a cricketing website, reported.
According to the media reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has accepted a hybrid model, allowing India to play its upcoming Champions Trophy fixture in Dubai.
The arrangement would also allow Pakistan to play its ICC tournament matches, scheduled in India, at a neutral venue for the next 3 years.
As per the ICC’s current commercial cycle (2024-27), three global events will be hosted in both countries including the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February, the women’s ODI World Cup in India later in 2025, and the men’s T20 World Cup in 2026 co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Indian media further reported that the PCB accepted a hybrid model for next year’s mega event on several sets of conditions. One of those is that a hybrid model should be applicable for all ICC events until at least 2027 if not the entire current events cycle until 2031.
Other conditions are said to center around compensation for a potential loss of commercial revenue from India’s Champions Trophy games being played at a separate overseas venue. If India were to make it to the knockout stages, then at least one semi-final and potentially the final are likely to be played outside Pakistan. The UAE and Sri Lanka are among the frontrunners for this.
The PCB, it is understood, has suggested arranging a tri-nation series involving India, Pakistan, and another country to offset any financial loss suffered by either board due to matches involving India and Pakistan being played elsewhere.
There is likely to be more back and forth between the two boards and the ICC on the matter, with the final call likely to be taken at the Board meeting on December 7.
