The long-standing uncertainty over the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been resolved after the International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly endorsed a hybrid hosting model proposed by Pakistan. This arrangement addresses India’s refusal to play in Pakistan due to political tensions and security concerns, according to reports from Indian media.
The decision is being hailed as a diplomatic win for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The hybrid model will allow Pakistan to host group-stage matches, while the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash will be played at a neutral venue. Depending on India’s progression, the final will either take place in Lahore or at another neutral location.
Agreement Details and Broader Implications
The agreement was reportedly reached following deliberations between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It also includes provisions for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, with Pakistan opting out of traveling to India for their group-stage match. Instead, this match will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Notably, the PCB will not receive financial compensation for this arrangement. However, Pakistan has secured the hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament set to be staged after 2027, marking a significant achievement for the nation.
Sources familiar with the agreement suggested that this resolution was critical to ensuring the smooth planning and execution of marquee ICC events amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.
Champions Trophy Format
The 2025 Champions Trophy will take place from February 19 to March 9, featuring eight teams split into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, culminating in the final.
This development comes after a standoff last month when the BCCI informed the ICC that its team would not travel to Pakistan, citing security issues. Initial reports indicated objections from the BCCI over playing the final in Lahore if India failed to qualify.
Context of India-Pakistan Cricket
Cricket’s most heated rivalry has largely been confined to ICC tournaments in recent years, with the last bilateral series taking place during Pakistan’s tour of India in 2012-13. Pakistan was also compelled to adopt a hybrid model for the 2023 Asia Cup, hosting matches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to India’s reluctance to visit.
India is slated to co-host the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026 alongside Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in 2029, with another World Cup co-hosted with Bangladesh in 2031. Meanwhile, Pakistan has not hosted an ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
Viewership and Revenue Dynamics
The India-Pakistan rivalry remains a cornerstone of global cricket, with each encounter drawing massive audiences and generating significant revenue. The 2023 World Cup match between the two nations attracted a record-breaking 173 million viewers on Indian television and 225 million digital viewers.
Similarly, their 2021 T20 World Cup clash garnered 167 million viewers and 15.9 billion minutes of engagement in India alone. These figures underscore the financial and viewership impact of this storied rivalry, further highlighting the stakes involved in resolving hosting disputes for ICC tournaments.
This hybrid model agreement reflects a pragmatic compromise, balancing logistical challenges with the geopolitical realities that have long shaped cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.
