After a month of uncertainty regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 venue, hosts Pakistan has reportedly agreed to the hybrid model but has outlined several conditions in its response, according to recent reports.
India declined to travel to Pakistan for the competition, citing security concerns, and several media reports indicated that the ICC had pushed for Pakistan to accept a hybrid hosting model. However, the report suggests that the PCB has outlined three conditions in response. While neither the ICC nor the PCB has made an official announcement, the report states that India will play their matches in the United Arab Emirates.
Due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, neither team has toured the other for a bilateral series since 2012, with the two arch-rivals meeting only in ICC events and the Asia Cup. Last year, when Pakistan was set to host the Asia Cup, the BCCI declined to send its team due to security concerns. As a result, Sri Lanka was brought in as a last-minute co-host, and India played all of its matches there, including the final, which they won.
What conditions have been put forward by Pakistan?
Pakistan was never going to agree to the hybrid model without conditions. According to sources close to the matter, the PCB is seeking a hybrid-for-hybrid arrangement for future ICC tournaments, meaning Pakistan will play the tournaments due to held in India at a neutral venue.
India is set to host three men’s ICC events and the Women’s World Cup during this period. They are scheduled to co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka while Bangladesh will share hosting duties for the 2031 50-over World Cup. Additionally, India will host the 2029 ICC Champions Trophy, with the Women’s World Cup planned for next year.
Additionally, the PCB has requested a significant portion of the ICC revenue as compensation for sharing the Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights. Currently, the BCCI receives 38 percent of the ICC revenue, while Pakistan receives a small share of less than six percent. Reports further indicate that the ICC has offered compensation beyond the hosting fees but is unlikely to agree to an increase in the PCB’s revenue share for accepting the hybrid model.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
