New Delhi, 14 Dcember 2024: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to finalize the hybrid model arrangements for the 2025 Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday. This marks a significant step in addressing the longstanding impasse between India and Pakistan over bilateral cricketing ties.
Under the proposed model, neither India nor Pakistan will travel to each other’s countries for ICC events. Consequently, matches between the two nations in the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will take place at a neutral venue in Dubai. The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals.
The PCB, in agreeing to the model, stipulated that the arrangement must apply universally to all ICC tournaments hosted by India and Pakistan. For instance, during India’s hosting of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, Pakistan will play their matches at neutral venues. Similarly, the marquee clash between India and Pakistan in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup—co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka—will be moved from India to Colombo.
“This hybrid model ensures continuity of marquee tournaments while addressing political sensitivities. ICC chairman Jay Shah will join tomorrow’s virtual meeting from Brisbane, and a formal announcement is likely to follow,” an ICC official told PTI.
Despite PCB’s acceptance of the arrangement, no compensation will be provided to Pakistan for agreeing to the hybrid model, the official confirmed.
India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, citing security concerns and political tensions. While Pakistan participated in the ODI World Cup held in India last year, India has consistently avoided traveling to Pakistan, maintaining a stand that matches between the two should only occur at neutral venues.
As cricket’s two fiercest rivals navigate political constraints, this hybrid model is poised to set a precedent for future ICC events, offering a compromise that keeps fans and organizers invested while addressing geopolitical complexities.
