PCB accepts hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, but on conditional terms

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conceded to the hybrid format for the Champions Trophy 2025, which was once planned to be held fully in Pakistan, according to the most recent developments. Nevertheless, the entire story has a twist.

According to recent reports, PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi has stated that they will only agree to move forward with the hybrid model if Pakistan’s matches are played somewhere other than India for all ICC events that are hosted in India in the future.

“The current situation is that PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has said that it will only accept hosting the

Champions Trophy on a hybrid model if the board agrees that in the future, all ICC events will be on the same system with Pakistan not going to India to play matches,” a source close to the matter told Hindustan The Times.

The source also disclosed two further crucial requirements, which Naqvi is anticipated to complete soon.

“Naqvi has not asked for any more hosting fees, but Pakistan also wants the ICC board to raise its financial cycle share of income from 5.75%. We don’t know if Naqvi traveled there with the government’s support and had already asked for their permission to speak at the ICC board’s virtual meeting, but many are claiming that he has requested time to return after speaking with his government,” the source continued.

India’s three main events to 2031

It is noteworthy that the PCB has insisted that three men’s events be conducted in India until 2031. India will have the hosting rights for three tournaments: the 2029 Champions Trophy, the 2031 ODI World Cup, and the 2026 T20 World Cup, which it will co-host with Sri Lanka. It is certain that the PCB has softened its stance on their involvement with this most recent version. According to earlier reports, they would withdraw from the competition if the entire eight-team event wasn’t hosted in Pakistan.

Given the fierce cross-border rivalry between the arch-rivals, the BCCI had previously informed the ICC that the Indian squad would not be traveling to Pakistan for the competition. The ICC’s planned board meeting failed to reach a consensus on what would happen with the following edition.

The tournament is now scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy 2025 for the first time since co-hosting the World Cup in 1996.