Hybrid model on cards for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan

It looks like Pakistan would be forced into organizing the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy similar to Asia Cup thanks to India, who might not visit the neighboring country.  

It is still very early to confirm anything in this regard, however a statement from an International Cricket Council (ICC) official is hinting at that Pakistan may not have any other option but to accept the hybrid model.

In 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board was the host of the Asia Cup tournament, however India did not travel to Pakistan and the PCB was forced to stage matches involving Rohit Sharma’s team in Sri Lanka, including the final.

An ICC Board member, who is privy to the developments, feels that any decision by BCCI will only be taken closer to the tournament.

“Every member can raise concerns for discussion at Board meetings and then it would go to a vote. But if the government (of a member nation) expressly say that they can’t play there, ICC would need to look for an alternative,” a veteran administrator was quoted by Hindustan Times.

“….because ICC Board’s position remains that it doesn’t expect its members to go against any policy/instructions issued by its own government,” he said.

With tournament is scheduled to be played between February and March, UAE might be the likely venue if the hybrid model is adopted again.

The eight teams are expected to be divided into two groups and India’s group matches could well be held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Major teams like Australia, South Africa, England, New Zealand and others have successfully toured Pakistan in last few years.

It is worth mentioning here that the arch-rivals’ bilateral cricketing ties have been severed since 2008.

Although Pakistan did travel to India for a white-ball series in 2012, India haven’t visited their neighbours in close to a decade and a half.

Moreover, Pakistan played ICC tournaments in India – the ODI World Cup 2011, the T20 World Cup 2016 and the ODI World Cup 2023.