ICC Champions Trophy Hybrid Model 2025:
A major update has emerged regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the tournament to be conducted using a 'Hybrid Model'. This event will now be hosted across Pakistan and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reached a consensus, meaning the Indian team will play all their 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, while the rest of the event unfolds in Pakistan.
The Agreement between BCCI and PCB
The BCCI and PCB have agreed in principle that for the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan will not travel to India for league matches but will play the match against India in Colombo. Despite organizing the Champions Trophy in a hybrid manner, PCB will not receive any compensation. However, PCB is slated to host an ICC women's tournament after 2027.
The Indian government has not granted permission for their team to travel to Pakistan for this tournament. This situation left the 'Hybrid Model' as the only viable option. The BCCI formally communicated this decision to the ICC through a letter. Initially, the PCB was resistant to the idea of hosting the tournament under a 'Hybrid Model', a position they softened later.
Source: aajtak
Pakistan's First ICC Event Since 1996
This marks Pakistan's first major ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, which India and Pakistan co-hosted. While India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012, they have consistently squared off in various ICC tournaments, including last year's ODI World Cup in India. The Asia Cup held by Pakistan last year also reverted to a 'Hybrid Model', as India chose not to participate in Pakistan, opting to play all matches in Sri Lanka instead.
After a hiatus since 2017, the Champions Trophy is making its return to the ICC calendar. Pakistan was the victor of the last edition of the Champions Trophy held in England in 2017. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, the last being for the Asia Cup that year. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan took place in the 2012-13 season. Following that, their encounters have been limited to the Asia Cup and ICC tournaments.
