Progress has reportedly been made in resolving the deadlock surrounding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have tentatively agreed on a hybrid hosting model for global tournaments held in Pakistan or India through 2027. This arrangement would allow both nations to play matches against each other at neutral venues during ICC-hosted tournaments in either country.
Although multiple sources confirmed the agreement, the PCB has refrained from issuing any formal statements. Instead, it showed that discussions are ongoing.
Uncertain Scope of the Hybrid Model
It remains unclear whether this hybrid approach would extend to both men's and women's tournaments. The current ICC commercial cycle (2024-27) includes three major events in the region: the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in early 2025, the Women’s ODI World Cup in India later that year, and the Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
The breakthrough reportedly occurred during a meeting between ICC Chair Jay Shah and PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday. The discussion took place in Dubai alongside Shah’s first official visit to ICC headquarters in his new role. A formal ICC Board meeting to finalize matters related to the Champions Trophy is set for December 7.
Conditions and Financial Implications
The PCB’s conditional acceptance of the hybrid model hinges on specific guarantees. One major stipulation is that the model should apply universally to all ICC tournaments in Pakistan and India, including women’s events, until at least 2027—or ideally through the current events cycle ending in 2031.
Another key issue involves financial compensation for potential revenue losses if India’s matches during the Champions Trophy are hosted at a neutral location. If India progresses to the knockout stage, the semi-finals and final could be held outside Pakistan, with the UAE and Sri Lanka among the likely hosts. To offset such financial setbacks, the PCB has proposed organising a tri-nation series involving India, Pakistan, and another country.
Negotiations are expected to continue between the boards and the ICC, with the final decision likely to emerge at the December 7 meeting.
Challenges in Scheduling
Originally, the PCB had planned to start the Champions Trophy on February 19, with Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi designated as host cities. However, the BCCI informed the ICC last month that it could not secure clearance from the Indian government to send its team to Pakistan. As a result, the tournament schedule has yet to be released.
Shah’s Vision for Cricket’s Future
Jay Shah, the youngest-ever ICC chair at 36, officially assumed his position on December 1. In his first statement, Shah referred to this as a "new era" for cricket and expressed his ambition to elevate the sport to "unprecedented heights" in collaboration with ICC member nations. While some ICC Board members were absent from the Dubai meeting, Shah outlined his preliminary strategies for shaping cricket's future.
Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Shah's successor as BCCI secretary. Devajit Saikia, the board’s joint-secretary, attended the ICC meetings in Dubai, sparking rumours that he may step into the role and represent the BCCI on the ICC Board.
What Lies Ahead
With significant discussions scheduled and conditions on the table, the hybrid model could redefine how global cricket tournaments are hosted in South Asia. The upcoming Board meeting may finally pave the way for resolving one of cricket’s most pressing logistical challenges. Fans and stakeholders alike await further developments with keen anticipation.