The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has stirred up intense debate and speculation, especially regarding the venue arrangement and the much-anticipated India-Pakistan cricket encounters.
What Is Hybrid Model?
The hybrid model refers to a tournament where some of the matches of the event are held within one country, while the others are held in another country. For instance, while India’s matches will be played out in Dubai, the rest will be played out in Pakistan at the 2025 Champions Trophy. This is a compromise model aimed at dealing with political and logistical issues that have marred India’s participation in tournaments hosted by Pakistan.
The hybrid model is not a new concept; it was first utilized during the 2023 Asia Cup, which, due to similar tensions between India and Pakistan.
PCB Accepts Hybrid Model For Champions Trophy
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.
PCB’s Demands Hybrid Model For Matches In India
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.
What Does This Mean For India Vs Pakistan Matches?
The hybrid model is a temporary solution to the ongoing political standoff between India and Pakistan, but it raises some important questions about the future of their cricketing rivalry.
Will India-Pakistan Matches Always Be Conducted In Neutral Venue?
It is still uncertain whether all the matches between India and Pakistan will be conducted in a neutral venue. India has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, and also refused to play the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. For the Champions Trophy India will be playing their matches in UAE while all the other matches will be played in Pakistan.
No Bilateral Series Between The Two Cricketing Nations
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India, after this no bilateral series have been conducted. The scope of a bilateral series getting conducted seems to be even more slim as diplomatic tensions between the two are always on the rise.
Ultimately, the success of this hybrid model will hinge upon whether it is appreciated and endorsed by the cricketing community at large, the public at large, and particularly by countries. If, however effective it is towards protecting tournament integrity and against politically influenced challenges, this ICC would then use the hybrid as a model template for any other high profile games into the future.
