The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a significant dilemma following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains determined to host the tournament in Pakistan but may have to reconsider options if the proposed hybrid model, allowing for split venues, does not gain traction.
The hybrid model, proposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), suggests that Pakistan would host the majority of the tournament while India’s matches, and potentially the final, would take place in Dubai, UAE, to address India’s security concerns. This arrangement mirrors the compromise made for the 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s matches were relocated to Sri Lanka due to similar reservations.
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However, Naqvi firmly stated that no formal discussions regarding this hybrid model have taken place with the PCB and expressed frustration over Pakistan consistently making concessions in such situations. “We have been showing good gestures for the last few years, and no one should expect us to do it all the time,” Naqvi remarked, emphasizing Pakistan’s patience.
The BCCI, following government advice, officially informed the ICC that India would not travel to Pakistan, a stance relayed to the Pakistani government for further guidance. In response, the ICC has delayed confirming the tournament schedule, with the cancellation of an event in Lahore where the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule was to be unveiled, adding to the uncertainty.
If the hybrid model is rejected and an agreement cannot be reached, there is speculation that the entire tournament could be moved to South Africa, with Pakistan losing its hosting rights. This situation has caused ambiguity surrounding the group-stage fixtures scheduled for Lahore, such as India’s high-profile match against Pakistan on March 1, 2025, as well as other matches planned for cities like Rawalpindi and Karachi.
The PCB is now waiting on a decision from the Government of Pakistan, while the ICC continues to engage with all stakeholders in an attempt to resolve the matter.
