In a major development regarding the venue for the Men's Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly reached an agreement with the ICC over accepting a hybrid model for all the global tournaments in both India and Pakistan till 2027.
According to a report from ESPNCricinfo, the PCB and ICC have reached an agreement for a hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan, given that all ICC tournaments in India will be implemented under the same model - India vs Pakistan future games will take place at a neutral venue.
ICC's new Chairman Jay Shah held his first official meeting at Dubai headquarters on Thursday but it concluded without a result. In last week's virtual meeting, the PCB had agreed to a hybrid model but with the condition - that Pakistan will play their ICC matches in India on a neutral venue.
The above report also adds that India will play their Champions Trophy 2025 games at a neutral venue, most probable in the UAE or Sri Lanka. The semi-final and final games will also be held outside Pakistan only if India reach the knockouts.
Notably, India has been picked to schedule the ICC Women's ODI World Cup and Asia Cup in 2024, and the Men's ODI World Cup in 2027. If the BCCI gives its nod to ICC-PCB's above agreement, then India will be required to play their ICC games against Pakistan on a neutral venue, which could trigger a financial loss for all the parties.
The ninth edition of the Men's Champions Trophy will begin on February 19 and the final will be played on March 9. Pakistan are the defending champions having won the last edition by beating India in the final by 180 runs at The Oval in 2017. Pakistan were picked as the sole host in 2021 but due to the ongoing conflict between the PCB and BCCI, the ICC has not been able to announce the full schedule.
The ICC is tipped to make an official announcement about the implementation of the hybrid model and potential schedule on December 7.
