ICC approves hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025

International Cricket Council (ICC) has resolved Pakistan and India stalemate over Champions Trophy matches by approving a hybrid model for the upcoming Trophy scheduled for 2025. 

This breakthrough follows a proposal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) put forth on December 2, which introduced an innovative approach dubbed the ‘fusion formula‘. 

Under this new arrangement, India, as they wanted, would be playing their matches at a neutral venue during the Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy. In return, Pakistan will also compete at neutral venues during future ICC events that are set to be hosted in India. The neutral venue will be decided by the guest country. 

Pakistan will not be travelling to India for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka. It’s important to note that this hybrid model is also applicable to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, the first tournament of the next event cycle, which has now been awarded to Pakistan.

According to ICC, this hybrid model has received approval for the entire ICC event cycle spanning from 2024 to 2027. 

“The ICC have finally reached a breakthrough in the 2025 Champions Trophy impasse, with a hybrid model agreed upon that will see India’s matches in the eight-team event taking place at a neutral venue,” the report stated. 

India will play next year’s Champions Trophy matches on neutral ground after refusing to visit tournament host and arch-rival Pakistan, the International Cricket Council said Thursday following weeks of wrangling. "India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed," said a statement released by the ICC, accepting hybrid model proposed by Pakistan.

"This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan)."

In return, Pakistan will also play upcoming ICC tournaments hosted by India in other countries, yet to be decided.

"India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed," said a statement released by the body.

"This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan)."

The agreement will extend to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 hosted by India, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the statement added.

The announcement ended a month-long stand-off over the Champions Trophy, after India told the ICC it will not send its team to Pakistan because of security fears and political tension.

Pakistan did, however, play in India during the 2023 ICC World Cup hosted there.

<eanwhile, International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation visited National Stadium Karachi to review construction work as well as the overall condition of the stadium. 

The delegation was briefed that 95 percent of construction work had been completed and new floodlights will also be installed for night matches. 

Reporter: M Hammad