The hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remains uncertain as no agreement has been reached regarding the proposed hybrid hosting format. The format would allow India to play its matches outside the host nation, Pakistan, due to political tensions and security concerns.
Sources reveal that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conditionally agreed to the hybrid model. However, it insists that all ICC tournaments hosted by India until 2027 follow the same format, enabling Pakistan to play its matches outside India.
The hybrid model proposes Pakistan hosting group matches while India’s high-profile clash with Pakistan would be held in Dubai. The tournament final would also be played in Dubai or Lahore, depending on whether India qualifies.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has objected to these conditions, particularly the tit-for-tat hosting stipulation and the potential final in Lahore if India does not qualify.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is in Dubai, where the ICC headquarters are located, to finalize the arrangements. However, the ongoing stand-off has delayed the ICC’s announcement of the tournament schedule, originally planned for February 19 to March 19.
This controversy highlights the deep-seated cricketing and political rivalry between India and Pakistan, two nations that have not played a bilateral series since Pakistan toured India in 2012-13. India last toured Pakistan for the 2008 Asia Cup, with no bilateral visits for 18 years.
Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup using a hybrid model, with India’s matches and the final played in Sri Lanka. Looking ahead, India is set to co-host the Twenty20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in 2026, the Champions Trophy in 2029, and the 2031 World Cup with Bangladesh.
Despite hosting top international teams in recent years, Pakistan has not hosted an ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. The country is keen to regain its status as a regular host of global cricket tournaments.
The ICC continues to negotiate the terms while cricket fans eagerly await a resolution to the Champions Trophy 2025 hosting saga.