In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy 2025. According to Indian media reports, this decision marks a diplomatic win for the PCB amidst strained cricketing relations between the two nations.
Under the hybrid model, Pakistan will host matches in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, while India’s games will be played at a neutral venue in Dubai. This arrangement ensures that India does not play any matches in Pakistan.
Key Points of the Agreement:
- Hybrid Hosting: Group-stage matches will take place in Pakistan, while India’s matches will be held in Dubai.
- T20 World Cup 2026: India has also agreed to play its league-stage match against Pakistan at a neutral venue in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- No Monetary Compensation: PCB will not receive financial compensation for India’s games being moved but has secured hosting rights for the ICC Women’s Tournament after 2027.
The Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will feature eight teams competing in two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
This will be the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup and the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan is also the defending champion, having won the last Champions Trophy in 2017 under Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy.
Months of negotiations between the PCB and BCCI, mediated by the International Cricket Council (ICC), led to the breakthrough. The deadlock arose from India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. The PCB stood firm on retaining hosting rights, rejecting initial proposals for a fully neutral venue.
