The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to host next year’s Champions Trophy using a hybrid model, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai. This arrangement, which is likely to extend to other multi-nation tournaments until 2027, was discussed during an informal meeting at the ICC headquarters in Dubai. The meeting included the newly elected ICC President Jay Shah and representatives from various member boards, including Pakistan. As per the media reports, an ICC official confirmed the development, stating, “It has been mutually agreed that the 2025 Champions Trophy will take place in both the UAE and Pakistan, with India playing its games in Dubai. This solution benefits all involved parties.”
The Champions Trophy is scheduled for February-March next year. In the previous ICC meeting, Pakistan withdrew its boycott threat and agreed to a hybrid format, with a condition for a reciprocal arrangement extending until 2031. However, the ICC has only approved the hybrid model for its events up to 2027.
During this time, India is set to host the Women’s ODI World Cup in October this year and will co-host the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.
Under the hosting arrangement, Pakistan would not have been obligated to travel to India in 2026, even without a hybrid model, if they had chosen to oppose it.
As per media reports, a source revealed, “Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka during the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup. The PCB’s compensation demand for agreeing to the Champions Trophy hybrid model is still under consideration.”
As part of this arrangement, the Indian women’s cricket team may need to play against Pakistan at a neutral venue if the schedule mandates such a league match. The final schedule for the event is yet to be released.
“Cricket should win; that’s the most important thing, but with respect for all. We will do what’s best for cricket, ensuring any formula is based on equal terms,” stated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Mohsin Naqvi following the recent ICC meeting.
This latest resolution is expected to pave the way for the release of the much-anticipated Champions Trophy schedule, eagerly awaited by fans and official broadcasters, Star Sports.
Under the existing contract between the ICC and Star Sports, the schedule was to be provided at least 90 days in advance. However, that deadline has already passed. Representatives from Star Sports were present in Dubai to finalize the operational aspects of the hybrid model and discuss a tentative schedule with ICC President Jay Shah, but the meeting has been postponed to Saturday, sources revealed.
The PCB had earlier hinted at seeking a greater share in the annual revenue cycle to accommodate India’s hybrid model demand, but there is no confirmation yet on whether this topic was addressed in the discussions.
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed more than 150 lives. Their last bilateral cricket engagement occurred in 2012, and the latest refusal to travel has been attributed to security concerns.