The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with matches being played in both Pakistan and Dubai. This decision was reached after an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Key Decisions
1. 2025 Champions Trophy Matches
– Pakistan will host 10 matches of the tournament across three venues.
– India’s league matches, including their game against Pakistan, will be played in Dubai instead of Pakistan.
– The semifinal and final will also take place in Dubai unless India is eliminated in the league stage. In that case, the semifinal and final will be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
2. 2026 T20 World Cup
– Pakistan will not travel to India for the tournament. Instead, their league match against India will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is a co-host of the event.
– The semifinal and final venues for the 2027 T20 World Cup will be decided later.
Additional Agreements
– The PCB will not receive any compensation for missing the opportunity to host matches involving India.
– In return, Pakistan has secured hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027.
Tournament Schedule
– The 2025 Champions Trophy will run from February 19 to March 9
– Eight teams will participate, divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will move to the semifinals, followed by the final.
Background
This hybrid hosting model is similar to the format used during the Men’s 50-over Asia Cup in 2023. In that event, Pakistan hosted the tournament, but India’s matches were held in Colombo due to political tensions.
This arrangement ensures smooth planning for both tournaments while addressing logistical and political challenges. All three parties—ICC, PCB, and BCCI—are satisfied with the agreement.
