The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially approved the hybrid model for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, following ongoing discussions and disputes. Originally, the event was slated to be hosted in Pakistan, but due to security concerns raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which refused to send their team to Pakistan, a solution was needed. Initially, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his opposition to the hybrid model, preferring to host the event on home soil.
However, after extensive deliberation, the ICC has now agreed to this model. According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, under the new arrangement, India’s matches in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be held at a neutral venue. Additionally, all India-Pakistan matches in ICC events between 2024 and 2027 will take place at neutral venues.
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The hybrid model ensures that no team is at a disadvantage due to the host country’s political or security situation. This agreement also covers the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
JUST IN: ICC issues update on Champions Trophy 2025 venue.
Details 👇https://t.co/aWEFiF5qeS
— ICC (@ICC) December 19, 2024
The details of the arrangement are expected to be finalized after an ICC board vote, which will officially sanction this structure for the 2024-2027 ICC event cycle. The model ensures that whenever India hosts an event, Pakistan’s matches will also be played at a neutral venue, and vice versa. This decision applies to both the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will run from February 19 to March 9 and will feature eight teams. These teams will be divided into two groups (A and B), with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals, followed by the final. Pakistan is the defending champion, having defeated India in the 2017 final in England.
