Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Accepted Hybrid Model With Terms & Conditions

The drama over hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been over as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to host the tournament in a hybrid model. Under this arrangement, Pakistan will host the majority of the matches, while some games (mostly Team India’s matches and the knockouts) will be played at neutral venues, addressing concerns raised by the BCCI. Although the PCB agreed to the solution of the hybrid model, they have asked for some terms and conditions with this agreement. Today, we will see what are the terms and conditions that the PCB has put forth its terms and conditions before the ICC.

Pakistan accepted the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The uncertainty surrounding hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been resolved, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreeing to a hybrid model. On Saturday, the PTI reported that the PCB had accepted the hybrid model. The drama has been going on for the last few months as Pakistan has initially threatened to boycott the tournament.

The hybrid model solution is seen as a compromise to ensure the tournament’s smooth organization, allowing Pakistan to retain its status as the primary host while accommodating teams unwilling to travel there. This decision marks a significant milestone in overcoming logistical and political challenges, reaffirming Pakistan’s position as a viable host for major international cricket events.

“At the moment, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that the board must agree that all ICC events in the future will be conducted on the same system, with Pakistan not traveling to India to play matches, before it will agree to host the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model.” – a close PCB source told PTI.

PCB – Terms and conditions for accepting the hybrid model

Although the PCB has accepted the hybrid model, they have put some terms and conditions in front of the ICC (International Cricket Council).  The PCB has told the ICC to keep the hybrid model applied to the upcoming ICC events in India till 2031. Until 2031, India will host three major ICC tournaments; World Cup T20 2026 (along with Sri Lanka), Champions Trophy (CT) 2029, and 2031 ODI World Cup (along with Bangladesh). Pakistan wants the ICC to apply the hybrid model  these events so that Pakistan will not travel to India for the matches.

In the 2026 T20 WC and 2031 ODI WC, things might be easier as Pakistan can still play their games in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively. But in those two tournaments, they will have to play the final in India as the final of those tournaments will likely to happen in India only. Champions Trophy 2029 could be a tricky one as the whole tournament is set to happen in India. Well, that’s a matter for later; right now, the focus is on resolving the Champions Trophy issue.

Additional demands from PCB

Not just the implementation of the hybrid model in ICC events in India, PCB has also asked for a greater share of the ICC’s revenue distribution cycle for accepting the hybrid model in the Champions Trophy 2025. Right now, the ICC has allocated 5.75% of revenue to the PCB.

The PCB also made it clear that their position is unrelated to additional hosting fees. Rather, the board is calling for a uniform rule for ICC events in the future, especially the three big competitions that India will host.

What will happen now?

Now, India will play all of their games at a neutral venue in CT 2025, including the final. There is also a possibility that one of the semifinals will happen in Pakistan and one at a neutral venue. If India reaches the semifinal, they will play their semifinal at a neutral venue.

It was on the cards as this seemed to be the only solution for the smooth conduct of the Champions Trophy (CT) 2025 after the Indian government didn’t permit the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to travel to Pakistan due to cross-border terrorism. Before that, Pakistan had made it clear that they would not accept the hybrid model. Also, Pakistan said if the ICC didn’t allow the whole tournament in Pakistan, they would not participate in the tournament.

Earlier, the reports of shifting the whole tournament from Pakistan to the ICC were also going on. The ICC has also kept a separate budget for the hybrid model. But now, we will see the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model. Dubai (UAE) might be the ideal venue for the ICC to organize the tournament in a hybrid model along with Pakistan.

What’s the benefit for Pakistan to host the tournament in the hybrid model?

In a hybrid model, the hosting rights are still with Pakistan. So they can say to the world that they have hosted a multination tournament. They will also get a good percentage of revenue from the tournament.

Conclusion

So this is the latest development regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan has accepted the hybrid model with some terms and conditions apply. It seems to be a likely decision to sort out the political issues within India and Pakistan. We will update you on this as soon as we get any information.

FAQs:-

(1) Why the Indian government doesn’t allow the BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan?

Due to the political issues, cross-border terrorism, security reasons, and the relations between India and Pakistan won’t allow the BCCI to send the Indian team to play cricket in Pakistan.

(2) When was the last time Team India visited Pakistan?

The last time India toured Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup.

(3) When did India and Pakistan play a bilateral series?

India and Pakistan last played in a bilateral series in 2012-13. In that series, Team India hosted Pakistan for 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs.