The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the International Cricket Council (ICC) are nearing an agreement on hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. During an ICC meeting on Friday, a hybrid model was proposed to the PCB. While earlier reports suggested the PCB insisted on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, former cricketer Rashid Latif clarified that the PCB has accepted the hybrid model. As per Latif, India will play its matches in Dubai, including the semifinal and final if they qualify, while the PCB will retain the tournament’s hosting rights.
“The apex body of international cricket and the two boards have agreed to go ahead with a hybrid model,” Latif told RevSportz. “The PCB will not be stripped of the hosting rights, but India will play their games in a different country. A semi-final and the final would be played outside Pakistan if India make it to the knockout stage.”
For those unaware, the ICC Champions Trophy was initially slated to be held in Pakistan in February-March 2025. However, the BCCI declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan, citing government directives. In response, the PCB took a firm stance, rejecting the hybrid model proposed earlier, which left the tournament’s fate in limbo. Under pressure from sponsors, the ICC convened a meeting with stakeholders, during which the hybrid model was reintroduced and eventually accepted by the PCB.
Although the PCB initially stood firm on hosting the entire ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, they recognized the impracticality of holding the tournament without India’s participation and the near impossibility of convincing India to play in Pakistan. Had the PCB remained adamant, the ICC would likely have relocated the event, dealing a significant financial blow to the PCB, potentially costing them around USD 65 million.