Pakistan agrees to hybrid model for champions trophy 2025, puts conditions before ICC

New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed readiness to adopt a hybrid model for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but has attached conditions for its implementation. The tournament, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, was initially set to be hosted entirely in Pakistan. However, uncertainty arose after India refused to send its team to Pakistan, prompting discussions about a hybrid hosting arrangement.

On November 29, the International Cricket Council (ICC) convened a meeting to deliberate on the matter. During the meeting, some Pakistani officials reportedly opposed the hybrid model. Despite this, the PCB has now agreed to the model, albeit with specific stipulations.

One key condition is that the final match of the tournament should be held in Lahore if the Indian team does not qualify for the final. The PCB has also demanded that future ICC tournaments hosted by India should follow a similar hybrid model, emphasizing that Pakistan would not play its matches in India.

The ICC is reportedly assessing these conditions, which could impact the tournament’s structure and scheduling. The governing body is also concerned about potential financial losses if the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match does not materialize.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2008, following the Mumbai terror attacks. The Champions Trophy, returning to the ICC calendar for the first time since 2017, holds significant importance for both nations. Pakistan previously won the title in 2017, while India last lifted the trophy in 2013.