2025 Champions Trophy: Pakistan, India ‘agree to play under hybrid model’
Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Naqvi says no final decision made yet on tournament
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be staged under a hybrid model, ESPNCricinfo reported on Thursday, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally broken the deadlock.
Pakistan and India have reportedly reached an agreement on a formula for hosting Champions Trophy.
As per the agreed upon hybrid model, India’s matches in the eight-team event will take place at a neutral venue. In return, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India will also take place at a neutral venue.
It would be after four years that Pakistan would host an ICC event.
Meanwhile, as per the cricket website, the ICC has also awarded Pakistan the right to host the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, which would be the first ICC event of the next cycle.
The website said the fusion formula could apply to the Women’s T20 World Cup as well.
ESPNcricinfo said it has seen a resolution with details of the agreement, and which is expected to undergo an ICC board vote, wherein during the 2024-2027 event cycle, all matches involving India in an event hosted in Pakistan will be played at a neutral venue, and in return all matches involving Pakistan in an event hosted by India will be played at a neutral venue. This agreement applies to the 2025 men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The neutral venue will be proposed by the tournament host board and will need to be approved by the ICC.
The ICC has also said it does not object to a triangular T20I tournament involving India, Pakistan and another Asian Full Member nation (or an Associate Asian nation being included to make it a quadrangular) being arranged as well, subject to such tournaments being played at a neutral venue. The idea of such a tri-nation series arose as compensation for Pakistan losing out on hosting India’s matches in next year’s Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 19, next year, however the event’s fixture has not been finalised so far because of uncertainty over the venues.
‘Let’s see what unfolds’
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that all the details regarding the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy would come to the fore soon.
“We don’t do anything without it being in writing. If anyone tries to deceive, we will handle it. How can they deceive [others]?” Naqvi told reporters at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
“Just a little patience, everything will come to light,” the PCB boss said.
When asked by a journalist if Pakistan had been awarded the hosting of the Women’s T20 World Cup, he replied: “Let’s see what unfolds. Things will become clear very soon.”
Regarding the Champions Trophy, he mentioned that there has been no final decision made yet. He added that whatever happens when it comes to the Champions Trophy, it will be for the betterment of Pakistan.
