The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially agreed to a hybrid model the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, following a series of negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This decision comes after the Indian government denied permission for its cricket team to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.
Important Things of the Agreement
- Hydrid Model Confirmation – The PCB’s acceptance of the hybrid model allows for matches involving India to be played in Dubai, while other matches can take place in Pakistan. This arrangement is contingent on Pakistan retaining partial hosting rights for the tournament.
- Circumstances set by PCB – If India does not progress past the group stages, the semi-finals and final will be held in Lahore. The PCB has requested that if India hosts any future ICC events, matches involving Pakistan should be played at neutral venues.
- Financial Considerations – The PCB is also seeking an increase in its share of revenues from ICC events, which currently stands at 5.75%. However, they have not requested additional hosting fees.
Conditions and Suggestions
The hybrid model was proposed as a compromise after prolonged discussions highlighted that a full hosting by Pakistan was not feasible given India’s reluctance to play there. The PCB had previously threatened to withdraw from the tournament if their demands were not met but has now softened its stance to ensure participation and potential financial benefits from hosting some matches.
This development is significant as it not only affects the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March 2025 but also sets a precedent for future ICC events, particularly regarding how matches involving India and Pakistan are managed amid ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
