December 4, 2024: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan, but with a significant condition: they want the same hybrid arrangement to apply when ICC tournaments are held in India.
According to reports from ESPNCricinfo, the PCB made this proposal during recent meetings with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Dubai.
The hybrid model, which was used during the 2021 T20 World Cup and involves matches being played in neutral countries, has become a point of contention due to the strained political relations between India and Pakistan. Under the proposed model, PCB wants Pakistan to be allowed to play their games outside India in future ICC events held in India, such as the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 2029 ICC Champions Trophy, and the 2031 Cricket World Cup, as well as the 2025 Asia Cup, which is also scheduled to be held in India.
The discussions surrounding this matter remain fluid. The PCB has reportedly been seeking a long-term agreement, extending beyond the 2025 Champions Trophy, which would allow Pakistan to play outside India for ICC tournaments. The terms of such an agreement—whether it would cover the next three years or the full rights cycle until 2031—are still under discussion.
During the meeting, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that a “one-sided arrangement” was unacceptable. Naqvi made it clear that Pakistan cannot continue to make concessions by traveling to India while India refuses to play in Pakistan. He stated, “It cannot be the case that we continue to go to India, but they do not visit Pakistan. Whatever happens must be on the basis of equality.”
The BCCI has not officially commented on the proposal, but there are indications that it may not accept the hybrid model for tournaments held in India. The ICC Board is expected to meet again on December 5 to review the proposal from PCB. The final decision on the Champions Trophy will need approval from both the BCCI and PCB, and likely also from the governments of both countries.
The ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan have long affected bilateral cricket tours. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the two nations have only met in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups since then. In 2016, Pakistan traveled to India for the World T20, and Pakistan’s team also played in India during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The Indian government, via a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, has expressed that it is “unlikely” that the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. In contrast, Pakistan has traveled to India in recent years, suggesting a disparity in treatment.
With just 77 days remaining until the start of the Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, the schedule and ticketing process for the tournament have yet to be finalized, leaving fans uncertain about travel arrangements. Both the PCB and BCCI are awaiting the final decisions, which will have a significant impact on the tournament’s logistics.
