Pakistan agrees to hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025: Reports

The debate has finally settled about the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to go with a hybrid model. PCB agreed with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that all India matches will be hosted in Dubai.

According to reports, Pakistan will host 10 games in the tournament, while all India games will be held in Dubai.

It has been agreed in principle that neither India nor Pakistan will travel to each other’s country for ICC events. Hence, India and Pakistan will play in Dubai during the 2025 Champions Trophy which will be held from February 19 to March 9.

The tournament will feature eight teams, divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.

The PCB had said that it was willing to accept the hybrid model only if the same arrangement was made for all ICC events awarded to India and Pakistan. This means that when India hosts the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, Pakistan will not travel to the neighbouring nation and play against them at a neutral venue.

During the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, India will not be able to play the marquee clash against Pakistan at home and instead travel to Colombo for the high-voltage clash.

“There’s a virtual meeting tomorrow which ICC chairman Jay Shah will join from Brisbane. It is expected that ICC will make an official announcement after that,” an ICC official told PTI.

As of now, no compensation will be given to the PCB for accepting the hybrid model.

India has not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan, though, travelled to India last year for the ODI World Cup.

(With PTI inputs)