Champions Trophy: Tournament will be held on hybrid model, Indian team will not go to Pakistan

New Delhi. The International Cricket Council has reached a consensus to hold next year’s Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai, while there was an ‘in principle’ agreement for a similar arrangement in multi-team competitions by 2027. According to a top ICC source, the decision was more or less finalised during an informal meeting between the global governing body’s new chairman Jai Shah and the board of directors, including Pakistan, at its headquarters in Dubai on Thursday.

The ICC source said, “All parties have agreed in principle that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, while India will play its matches in Dubai. It is a win-win situation for all stakeholders.” The Champions Trophy will be held in February-March next year.

Pakistan will also not go to India
Pakistan withdrew its boycott threat in the last ICC meeting last week and agreed to the hybrid model and demanded a similar arrangement for itself till 2031. However, the ICC has agreed to the hybrid model for all its competitions till 2027.

During this period, India will host the Women’s ODI World Cup in October next year and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka. Even if the hybrid model is not implemented, Pakistan would not be forced to travel to India in 2026.

The source said, “Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka during the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. The compensation demanded by the PCB due to the Champions Trophy being organized in a hybrid model is still being considered.”

Agreeing to this arrangement means that the Indian women’s team will have to travel to a neutral venue to play its league match against Pakistan if it is necessary due to the schedule.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi had said after the last ICC meeting, “Cricket must win, that is the most important thing, but with respect for everyone. We will do what is best for cricket. Whatever formula we adopt, it will be on equal terms.” The latest development will pave the way for the release of the Champions Trophy schedule, which has been awaited by fans and broadcaster Star Sports for a long time. As per the contract between the ICC and the broadcaster, the schedule has to be announced at least 90 days before the start of the tournament.