Champions Trophy 2025: Possibility of Hybrid Model

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is being persuaded to use a hybrid approach for the Champions Trophy the next year by the ICC’s executive board members. In order to convince the PCB to let India to play its matches in the United Arab Emirates, the plan provides increased financial incentives.

The tournament’s schedule is still subject to change. Following India’s public announcement that it could not visit Pakistan, there has been a delay. In order to try to resolve this issue, it is anticipated that the ICC will meet with its board executives on Tuesday.

According to a source, the PCB is being offered more financial incentives to break the impasse since they are unwilling to compromise on holding the tournament under a hybrid approach.
After a virtual conversation by board officials, he noted, “it is likely that by tomorrow, a clear picture will emerge regarding the format under which the Champions Trophy would eventually be held early next year.”

PTI sources claim that the PCB is being asked to approve a hybrid format in which, should India qualify, the final would be held in Dubai and India’s matches will be played in the United Arab Emirates. The PCB receives significant financial benefits as a compromise. As all six of the other participating countries have no difficulty playing in Pakistan, he added, “The PCB has so far resisted all such moves, insisting that if India is not willing to play in Pakistan it is their problem.”
According to another source, “the PCB is also insisting that the Pakistan and India group match and the final should be held in Lahore, even if it agrees to a hybrid model.”

“Clearly, this is unacceptable to the Indian cricket board, which is demanding that all of India’s matches—including the match against Pakistan, the semifinal, and the final, if they qualify—be played in Dubai,” he said. According to a PCB official, “all of the tournament preparations, including the construction work at the three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, are continuing on schedule.” Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, is not prepared to comment on this despite all of the debate and the delay in the schedule announcement. He does, however, add that the hybrid model is not his first choice and that the Champions Trophy would still be held in Pakistan as planned.