ICC approved the hybrid model for the Men's Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday after both India and Pakistan agreed to play their ICC games, hosted by the BCCI and PCB, at a neutral venue till 2027. To compensate Pakistan, the ICC awarded the PCB full hosting rights for the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup.
The ICC board confirmed that India will play all of their Champions Trophy 2025 games at a neutral venue. In return, Pakistan will be playing all their ICC tournament games hosted by India at a neutral venue. To compensate Pakistan, the ICC has awarded full hosting rights to the PCB and also the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup.
Apart from the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the Women's World Cup 2025 (India), Men's T20 World Cup (India and Sri Lanka) and Women's T20 World Cup 2028 (Pakistan) will implement the hybrid model.
The ICC is expected to announce the schedule and the neutral venue for India's Champions Trophy 2025 games. The ninth edition of the tournament will begin on February 19 and the final will be played on March 9, 2025. Apart from Pakistan and India, six other teams Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, and South Africa have also qualified for the 50-over tournament.
The PCB were rewarded with tournament rights in November 2021 but the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan due to security reasons. The PCB initially threatened to boycott the tournament and seemed adamant about hosting India's game in Pakistan.
The ICC proposed a hybrid model, where India will play their all games at a neutral venue, to which the PCB put in a condition where they will be playing their all ICC games hosted by the BCCI at the third venue. Dubai is reportedly emerged as the neutral venue for India's Champions Trophy matches and is likely to host the knockout games as well.
