Search
Close this search box.

Top Headlines

Hybrid Model: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, has seen significant developments regarding its hosting model due to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. 

Confirmation of the Hybrid Model

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed the adoption of a hybrid hosting model for the Champions Trophy 2025. This decision comes after months of negotiations between the ICC, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), aiming to resolve the issue of India’s participation in Pakistan, given security concerns and political sensitivites.

Hybrid Model

  • India’s Participation: India will likely to play all its matches, including any potential semi-finals and the final if they qualify, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This move ensures India’s participation while addressing security concerns that prevented their travel to Pakistan.
  • Rest of the Tournament: The remaining matches of the tournament will be hosted in Pakistan, with Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as the selected venues. This arrangement allows Pakistan to retain some of its hosting while accommodating the geopolitical situation.

Conditions and Agreements:

  • Reciprocal Arrangements: The agreement extends beyond just this tournament. It has been decided that for all ICC events hosted by either India or Pakistan until 2027, matches between these two nations will be played at neutral venues. This includes the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, where Pakistan’s matches would be at neutral venues.
  • No Additional Compensation: Notably, the PCB will not receive extra compensation for agreeing to the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, despite initial demands for financial adjustments.
  • Public and Media Reaction: The decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some see it as a pragmatic solution to ensure the tournament’s success, others are concerned about the precedent it sets for future international cricket events. Social media discussions reflect a broad spectrum of sentiments, from relief to disappointment over the compromise.
  • Impact on Future Events: This model might set a trend for how cricket navigates political issues in tournament hosting, potentially affecting the planning and execution of future ICC events where similar tensions exist between host nations and participants.

Looking Forward

  • Schedule Announcement: Following the confirmation of the hybrid model, the ICC is expected to release the official schedule for the tournament soon. The delay in schedule announcement was primarily due to uncertainties around the hosting model.
  • Preparations: With the model now settled, preparations in both Pakistan and Dubai can proceed with more certainty, focusing on logistics, security, and infrastructure to host a successful tournament.

The adoption of the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks a significant moment in international cricket, showcasing the sport’s ability to adapt to global political realities while striving to maintain the integrity and excitement of the competition.

Click here for the WPL Auction Players List

Also Read:

Anticipation Builds for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy: A Clash of Titans

Share the Post: