New Delhi: A consensus has been reached in the International Cricket Council (ICC) to organize next year's Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, which will allow India to play its matches in Dubai, whereas till 2027, all ICC tournaments will be held in a similar hybrid model. According to a top ICC source, the decision was taken more or less during an informal meeting between the global governing body's new chairman Jay Shah and the board of directors, including Pakistan, at its headquarters in Dubai on Thursday. Finalized.
“All parties have agreed in principle that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan while India will play its matches in Dubai,” an ICC source told PTI. It is a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
The Champions Trophy will be held in February-March next year. Pakistan had last week withdrawn its boycott threat in the last ICC meeting and agreed to the hybrid model and demanded a similar arrangement for itself by 2031. However, the ICC has agreed to a hybrid model for all its competitions till 2027.
During this period, India will host the Women's ODI World Cup in October next year and the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka. Even if the hybrid model was not implemented, Pakistan would not have been forced to visit India in 2026.
The source said, 'Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka during the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. The compensation demanded by the PCB due to the Champions Trophy being organized in the hybrid model is still under consideration.
Agreeing to this arrangement means that the Indian women's team will have to travel to a neutral venue to play their league match against Pakistan if the scheduling warrants it.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi had said after the last ICC meeting, 'Cricket should win, that is most important, but with respect to everyone. We will do what is best for cricket. Whatever formula we adopt, it will be on equal terms.
“All parties have agreed in principle that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan while India will play its matches in Dubai,” an ICC source told PTI. It is a win-win situation for all stakeholders.
The Champions Trophy will be held in February-March next year. Pakistan had last week withdrawn its boycott threat in the last ICC meeting and agreed to the hybrid model and demanded a similar arrangement for itself by 2031. However, the ICC has agreed to a hybrid model for all its competitions till 2027.
During this period, India will host the Women's ODI World Cup in October next year and the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka. Even if the hybrid model was not implemented, Pakistan would not have been forced to visit India in 2026.
The source said, 'Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka during the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. The compensation demanded by the PCB due to the Champions Trophy being organized in the hybrid model is still under consideration.
Agreeing to this arrangement means that the Indian women's team will have to travel to a neutral venue to play their league match against Pakistan if the scheduling warrants it.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi had said after the last ICC meeting, 'Cricket should win, that is most important, but with respect to everyone. We will do what is best for cricket. Whatever formula we adopt, it will be on equal terms.
The latest developments will pave the way for the release of the Champions Trophy schedule which fans and broadcaster Star Sports have been waiting for for a long time. The schedule was expected to be announced at least 90 days before the start of the tournament as per the contract between the ICC and the broadcaster.
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