India’s 2025 Champions Trophy matches could be held in UAE as Pakistan prepares hybrid model: Report

The Indian cricket team playing its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in neutral venues is close to being confirmed after the hosts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to make “adjustments” to the schedule of the tournament. It has been reported by the news agency PTI that PCB is close to agreeing on making “slight adjustments” to the schedule which would see India’s matches taking place in the UAE.

This essentially means that the 2025 Champions trophy will also be hosted in a ‘Hybrid Model’ just as the Asia Cup 2023 when India played their matches in Sri Lanka.

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PCB ready to adjust Champions Trophy schedule

“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 reliable source in the PCB told PTI.

The International Cricket Council, on its part, can’t force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see when BCCI takes a final call on the matter. By the time, the final call is likely to be made, ICC will be chaired by India’s Jay Shah.

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Meanwhile, the PCB is pushing the ICC to announce the schedule for the tournament by next week as some top officials of the world governing body are due to visit Lahore again next week.

“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,” said the source.

“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.”

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He said the PCB has also asked the ICC to push the BCCI to confirm if they will send their team to Pakistan for the February-March event 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 said.

India vs Pakistan match scheduled for 1 March

According to the tentative schedule proposed by the PCB, the marquee Champions Trophy match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is slated in Lahore on 1 March next year.

The tournament is slated to begin on 19 February 2025, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The final is scheduled on 9 March at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

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According to the tentative schedule, all of India’s matches have been kept in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.

The PCB is spending nearly 13 billion rupees on upgrading its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi where the CT matches would be held, according to sources.

With agency inputs