The future of Champions Trophy 2025 was hanging for quite a long time but now it has been made clear by the ICC that India’s matches will be held entirely in Dubai. The announcement came as part of an overall agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the ICC. It has been decided that the hybrid model will apply to all ICC tournaments scheduled in India until 2027.
BCCI Agrees To PCB’s Request
In a major breakthrough, the BCCI has agreed to use the hybrid model for all the ICC events scheduled to take place in India till 2027 at the demand of Pakistan Cricket Board. According to PTI, this has been settled after Thursday’s meeting of ICC Chairman Jay Shah and board members which included officials from Pakistan as well. The decision will end the months-long disputes and arguments between both boards as PCB initially threatened to boycott the event.
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“It’s been agreed in principle by all parties that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with India playing its matches in Dubai. It’s a win-win situation for all stakeholders,” the ICC source told PTI.
PCB’s Position On The Hybrid Model
After withdrawing its boycott threat, the PCB finally agreed to the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently added that the first priority was to grow cricket, explaining, “Cricket should win, that’s most important, but with respect for all. We are going to do what’s best for cricket. Whichever formula we go for, it would be on equal terms,” he stated after the last ICC meet.
Whereas PCB has also urged that hybrid should prevail in all ICC events here at India till 2031. The ICC, however agreed to this model but this will be in practice up to 2027 beyond which no further agreement came into the picture.
“During the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka. The compensation demanded by PCB for the Champions Trophy hybrid model is still under consideration,” the source said.
Aftermath On Future ICC tournaments
Under the recently agreed model, India shall host two major ICC competitions during this period. Co-hosting the T20 World Cup in 2026 with Sri Lanka means all of Pakistan’s matches during that event will be staged in Sri Lanka. Later, in 2025, India is scheduled to host the Women’s World Cup. This means that all India-Pakistan matches will be held in a neutral venue.
Delayed Schedule Announcement For Champions Trophy
The debate on hybrid model has taken a lot of time, due to which the schedule for Champions Trophy has also been delayed. Since the contract between the ICC and broadcasters requires the schedule announcement at least 90 days prior to the event, which has already passed, the schedule is expected shortly with the hybrid model having been agreed upon.
Star Sports Meeting Rescheduled
Representatives of Star Sports, which have broadcast rights for the Champions Trophy, were in Dubai for discussion on the operational part of the hybrid model as well as the schedule. PTI Sources, however, confirm that the meeting has been rescheduled for Saturday.
(With PTI Inputs)
