ICC Champions Trophy 2025 all but confirm to be conducted in 'Hybrid' model as PCB bows down before BCCI

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 all but confirm to be conducted in 'Hybrid' model as PCB bows down before BCCI (Reuters)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has told the ICC that it is willing to accept the 'Hybrid' model for hosting next year's Champions Trophy. However, the country did put a condition that a similar pattern is followed for events which will be held in India till 2031. The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in February-March but India refused to play their matches in the neighbouring nation citing security concerns.

"I don't want to comment too much because that can ruin things. We have given our point of view (to the ICC), the Indians have also given theirs. The effort is to ensure a win-win for all," Naqvi told reporters as quoted by PTI. "Cricket should win, that's most important but with respect for all. We are going to do what's best for cricket. Whichever formula we go for, it would be on equal terms," he added.

"Pakistan's pride is most important. We have to ensure that cricket wins but Pakistan's pride also remains intact."

PCB had earlier threatened to boycott the Champions Trophy tournament if the tournament would have been played in 'Hybrid' model as suggested by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). India had written to the ICC about not traveling to Pakistan and instead playing their matches in Dubai.

When asked whether Pakistan has agreed to the arrangement now, Naqvi's response was, "Let's see what happens. My effort is to ensure that there is no one-sided system. It shouldn't be that we travel to India and they don't come to our country. Idea is to settle it once and for all on equal terms."

India are due to host three ICC men's events -- the 2026 T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka, the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup jointly with Bangladesh -- till 2031. Given that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are co-hosts for two major events, Pakistan would not be compelled to travel to India if they insist against it. The point of contention could be just the 2029 Champions Trophy, which will be held entirely in India. Another flash-point could be next year's women's ODI World Cup in October, also to be held in India.

In Karachi, a PCB source said the Board is also demanding a greater share in the annual revenue cycle for agreeing to the model under which India would be playing its share of matches, including the clash against Pakistan, in Dubai. "The current situation is that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that it will only accept hosting the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model if the board agrees that in future all ICC events will be on same system with Pakistan not going to India to play matches," the source told PTI.

"Pakistan also wants the ICC board to increase its financial cycle share of revenues from 5.75 percent and Naqvi is insistent on this but he has not sought any additional hosting fees," he added.

-with PTI inputs