The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March next year. This decision comes in light of the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have prevented India from playing bilateral cricket in Pakistan since 2012.
According to reports, India’s matches in the Champions Trophy will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the remaining matches will be played in Pakistan. This arrangement is similar to the recent Asia Cup, which was also hosted by Pakistan but featured India’s matches in UAE due to security concerns.
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The decision to adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy is a significant compromise made by the ICC to ensure the participation of all eight top-ranked ODI teams. However, it also underscores the ongoing challenges associated with hosting major cricket tournaments in Pakistan due to the geopolitical situation.
Pakistan is not hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. [Abhishek Tripathi]
Dubai is set to host the Champions Trophy or hybrid Model if the Indian Government doesn’t change the stance. pic.twitter.com/xNKhNckbmW
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 27, 2023
The Champions Trophy is a prestigious international cricket tournament held every two years. It features the top eight ODI teams in the world, competing in a round-robin format followed by the knockout stages. The 2025 edition will be the ninth edition of the tournament.
While the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy may not be ideal, it provides a workable solution to accommodate India’s participation in the tournament. It remains to be seen whether India’s stance on playing in Pakistan will change in the future, but for now, the Champions Trophy will proceed in a hybrid format to ensure the participation of all teams.
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The decision to adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy is a significant development in the world of cricket. It highlights the challenges associated with hosting major cricket tournaments in Pakistan and the compromises that need to be made to ensure the participation of all teams.
