Just a day ago, Pakistan had urged the ICC to consider alternatives to the hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy. Now, Pakistan has softened its stance and appears willing to accept the hybrid model for the tournament.
No formal announcement has been made yet. However, various Pakistani media outlets report that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed two conditions for agreeing to the hybrid model:
- The ICC must increase Pakistan’s revenue share.
- All global tournaments India is set to host until 2031 must also follow the hybrid model.
According to Pakistan Observer, under the hybrid model, India would play its matches in the UAE, while most other matches, including the final, would be held in Pakistan’s Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. However, if India qualifies for the final, it would be played in the UAE instead of Lahore.
Currently, the ICC’s revenue distribution model allocates 38.50% to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amounting to over ₹2,750 crore annually, while the PCB receives only 5.75% (approximately ₹423.4 crore). If the PCB’s conditions are met, Pakistan’s revenue share would need to be increased.
Additionally, the PCB demands that all ICC events India is set to host in the next seven years—2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, 2026 T20 World Cup, 2029 Champions Trophy, and 2031 ODI World Cup—be held under the hybrid model. This implies that if India doesn’t send its players to Pakistan, Pakistan won’t send its players to India.
During this period, both nations’ teams are unlikely to travel to each other’s countries.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while in Dubai to watch the U-19 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan, remained cautious when asked about Pakistan’s willingness to host the Champions Trophy under the hybrid model. He said, “A lot is happening behind the scenes, but I’d rather not say much at this point to avoid derailing the process. We’ve communicated our position to the ICC, and India has shared theirs.”
When asked about the hybrid model, Naqvi said, “Efforts are underway to create a win-win situation for both nations. We’ll ensure that decisions aren’t one-sided. Cricket’s interests come first, and we’ll do what’s best for the game. However, Pakistan’s dignity is non-negotiable. At the end of the day, we want cricket to triumph.”
Naqvi added that refusing to play in each other’s countries isn’t a true hybrid model but might lead to a new formula where fairness is ensured.
India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to political tensions. The 2023 Asia Cup, which Pakistan was originally set to host, had to be co-hosted with Sri Lanka under the hybrid model after India declined to send its team.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, featuring eight teams: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The question now is whether the ICC will accept the PCB’s conditions.
