The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly shown willingness to make schedule adjustments for the Champions Trophy 2025, potentially adopting a hybrid model.
Champions Trophy 2025 to be played in hybrid model?
This shift comes in response to the Indian government's reluctance to allow the Indian cricket team to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. The PCB's proposal suggests that India might play their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), similar to the hybrid model used for the 2023 Asia Cup. This compromise aims to ensure India's participation in the tournament while addressing the political and security challenges.
The last major tournament hosted by Pakistan was the 2023 Asia Cup, which was conducted in a 'Hybrid Model'. Due to security concerns, the Indian government did not allow their team to travel to Pakistan, leading to India playing their matches in Sri Lanka.
“The PCB feels that even if Indian government does not clear the tour to Pakistan slight adjustments can be made to the schedule, as in all probability India would play its matches in Dubai or Sharjah,” a source privy to the development told PTI.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot compel any cricket board to defy its government's policies. The decision regarding India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government. It remains to be seen when the BCCI will make a final decision, especially considering that Jay Shah, an Indian official, will soon chair the ICC.
In the meantime, PCB is urging the ICC to announce the tournament schedule by next week. This push coincides with the upcoming visit of top ICC officials to Lahore.
“The PCB has discussed with the ICC the tentative schedule which they sent some months back and wants the same schedule announced on 11 November. It has told the ICC that since a back-up plan is already in place with a revised budget there is no sense in delaying releasing a tentative schedule of matches,” said the source.
The PCB has requested the ICC to urge the BCCI to confirm India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March next year.
“The PCB wants the BCCI to give in writing whether they get permission from their government or not to send their team to Pakistan,” the source further added.
According to the proposed schedule by Cricket Pakistan, the host nation, Pakistan, has been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Group B consists of England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan. The Champions Trophy 2025 is tentatively scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, with a reserve day on March 10.
Here is how the ICC Champions Trophy 2025's proposed schedule looks like:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 19 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Karachi |
| February 20 | Bangladesh vs India | Lahore |
| February 21 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Karachi |
| February 22 | Australia vs England | Lahore |
| February 23 | New Zealand vs India | Lahore |
| February 24 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi |
| February 25 | Afghanistan vs England | Lahore |
| February 26 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi |
| February 27 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Lahore |
| February 28 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Rawalpindi |
| March 1 | Pakistan vs India | Lahore |
| March 2 | South Africa vs England | Rawalpindi |
| March 5 | Semi-final: TBC vs TBC | Karachi |
| March 6 | Semi-final: TBC vs TBC | Rawalpindi |
| March 9 | Final: TBC vs TBC | Lahore |
