The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin in less than two months, but there is still no clarity on the venue of the tournament. While Pakistan is the designated host for the tournament, the tournament could be played in a hybrid format due to India’s reluctance to play in the country.
All the cricket boards of the eight participating countries have confirmed their visit to Pakistan except India. A few days ago, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that they had not received permission from their government to send their team to Pakistan.
Since the International Cricket Council (ICC) is unlikely to organize the Champions Trophy without India, they are looking for a hybrid model where India will play their matches outside Pakistan. However, this will be a big challenge for the ICC as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that they are not ready to hold the tournament in a hybrid model.
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The decision of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be finalized by voting
An emergency ICC council meeting will be held on November 26 (Tuesday) to make a final call on the venue for the Champions Trophy. BCCI, PCB representatives and all other board members will join the meeting virtually.
To call an emergency ICC council meeting #ChampionsTrophy2025 on tuesday. All board members including BTSO PCB will attend the meeting virtually.
— Nitin K Srivastav (@Nitin_sachin) November 22, 2024
The ICC hopes that the PCB will adopt a hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy, which appears to be the way forward. The PCB has so far announced that they will not allow the tournament to move outside of Pakistan and they want to host the entire tournament in the country.
What if the PCB does not accept the hybrid model?
If the PCB refuses to accept the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy despite repeated efforts, the matter will be decided by a vote among the 12 full members and 3 associate members of the ICC. The match will be keenly watched by cricket fans all over the world.
India have not visited Pakistan since they toured the country in 2008 for the Asia Cup. But the 2008 Pakistan-linked Mumbai terror attacks soured political ties between the two countries and curtailed cricket between the two nations.
The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was played in 2013 when Pakistan visited India for a T20I and ODI series. Pakistan’s last visit to India was in 2023 for the ODI World Cup.
Asian Cup 2023 in a hybrid model
Asia Cup 2023 was also due to be hosted by Pakistan last year, but India’s refusal to travel meant the tournament was held in a hybrid format. All of India’s matches, including the final, were played in Sri Lanka.
Despite India’s refusal to go to the tournament, Pakistan traveled to India for the ODI World Cup. However, PCB is determined to host the entire tournament in their home country this time.
