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Sports Tak's bang on prediction on Champions Trophy 2025 finally got International Cricket Council's (ICC) stamp on it as the showpiece tournament will now be held in hybrid model with both BCCI and PCB's consonance. Dated, July 6, 2024, It was Sports Tak, who first reported that hybrid model is the only viable option left for ICC to stage the Champions Trophy comprehensively and India will play their all matches in neutral venue including the semifinal and final, provided they make it to the knockouts. And five months on, Sports Tak's bullseye prediction came into existence with ICC finally approving the Champions Trophy 2025 in hybrid model.
Watch Sports Tak's accurate prediction on Champions Trophy here
Sports Tak, yet again on December 13, reported that ICC has officially approved a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy which will see matches taking place in both Pakistan and Dubai, a decision facilitated by both the parties, BCCI and PCB. Not just this, BCCI and PCB have also, in principle, reached an agreement on T20 World Cup 2026. In principle, it has been decided that the India versus Pakistan league-stage clash will not take place in India. Instead, this high-stakes encounter will be shifted to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Here are the key points of ICC's final call on Champions Trophy 2025
- ICC approves Champions Trophy in hybrid model after agreement with PCB and BCCI
- Champions Trophy 2025 Matches to be played across three venues in Pakistan, India games in Dubai
- BCCI and PCB agree in principle that Pakistan will not travel to India for the India-Pakistan match in 2026 T20 World Cup. The match will be played in Sri Lanka, who are the co-hosts
- No compensation for PCB for missing the opportunity to host India matches
- In return, PCB will get to host an ICC women's tournament after 2027
While the PCB will not receive any direct financial compensation from this arrangement, they have secured the hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament scheduled to occur after 2027. This agreement has been met with approval from all parties involved, streamlining the planning process for these prestigious events and effectively mitigating logistical and geopolitical challenges.
The PCB is set to host the Champions Trophy in 2025. Pakistan is slated to host a total of 10 matches during the tournament. However, a unique arrangement has been made for India's participation. All three of India's league-stage matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, will be held in Dubai. Notably, Champions Trophy 2024 matches will be played across Pakistan's three venues, with India’s games taking place in Dubai
BCCI and PCB have agreed on principle that Pakistan will not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup India-Pakistan match, which will be held in Sri Lanka, the co-host
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No compensation will be provided to PCB for missing the opportunity to host India matches. In return, PCB will be granted the opportunity to host an ICC women’s tournament after 2027. All three parties – ICC, BCCI, and PCB – are satisfied with the development.
The tournament's semifinal and final stages are also scheduled to take place in Dubai. However, if India fail to advance beyond the league stage, the semifinal and final matches will be shifted to Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan.
PCB had previously stated that if India were to decline traveling to Pakistan for the ICC event, they would reciprocate by not traveling to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the BCCI. The PCB proposed that their matches be held in Colombo. The venues for the semifinal and final of the 2027 T20 World Cup are yet to be determined.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to commence on February 19 and conclude on March 9. Eight teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semifinals. The tournament will follow a hybrid hosting model, similar to the Asia Cup held last year. Pakistan will host a portion of the matches, while India's matches, including the semifinal and final, will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
