After months of intense negotiations and speculation, the Pakistan Cricket Board has finally agreed to the hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Under this model, India’s matches will be played in Dubai, while the remaining fixtures will take place in Pakistan. This comes after weeks of uncertainty following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) official declaration that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan over political tensions and the lack of clearance from the Indian government.
India’s Refusal Led To PCB Opting For Hybrid Model?
The refusal of the Indian government not to allow its national cricket team to go to Pakistan led to the impasse between BCCI and ICC. It gave birth to the hybrid model, resembling the one of the last 2023 Asia Cup. There was a mini-tournament hosted in a few matches there, followed by most taking place within Sri Lanka’s borders. The ICC, in light of the current unrest in Islamabad, was said to have even leaned towards supporting the case BCCI has over this issue.
Pakistan On The Risk Of Losing Hosting Rights
The PCB initially opposed the hybrid model and said that Pakistan alone should host the Champions Trophy. According to reports in the Times of India, however, the board had faced the risk of losing the hosting rights for the tournament as the ICC and BCCI presented a united front on this issue, due to which PCB has agreed for revised model.
“I don’t want to comment too much because that can ruin things. We have given our point of view (to the ICC), and the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Dubai.
“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 added.
Conditions Laid Down By PCB For Future ICC Events
According to reports, the PCB has urged that this hybrid model be in effect from now on for any tournament to be played under India till 2031. Major ICC events in seven years include the T20 World Cup in 2026 (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka), the ODI World Cup in 2031 by India and Bangladesh, Champions Trophy in 2029, and the Women’s World Cup in 2025.
PCB’s Demands On Revenue
Further, the PCB is said to have asked for a bigger share of the ICC’s income as reparation, since they are now getting 6% less than the 38% that BCCI receives. Even if the ICC has already given compensation way more than the hosting fee, other countries are not likely to reduce their shares either, which would then be passed on to the BCCI. Till date, BCCI hasn’t agreed to these terms.
The PCB has sought the ICC to accept their revenue-sharing demand, which is resisted by other cricketing nations. The issue has not been resolved, and it remains uncertain whether BCCI would agree to revise the share. This new negotiation process adds another level of complexity to the financial future of international cricket.
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: ‘Bow Down’ – Pakistan Gets Brutally Trolled Over Hybrid Model Controversy
The hybrid model agreement thus offers a temporary solution to the Champions Trophy venue problem but leaves many questions open to debate over the larger implications for future ICC tournaments and revenue distribution.
