Champions Trophy 2025: ICC reportedly offers new proposal to convince PCB on hybrid model

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly attempted to persuade the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to conduct the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in a hybrid model with a new proposal. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already informed the ICC that Team India will not travel to Pakistan for the showpiece tournament due to security concerns.

The PCB, on their part, have expressed reluctance to conduct the tournament in a hybrid model and are willing to hold the event in Pakistan completely. As per a report in news agency PTI, the ICC will hold an Executive Board meeting on Tuesday in a bid to resolve the issue.

Champions Trophy 2025 | PCB not aware of meeting with ICC and BCCI, says report

ICC offers PCB additional financial incentives 

According to an insider, the ICC has offered PCB with “additional financial incentives” in a bid to convince Pakistan to host the tournament in a hybrid model. “With the PCB not willing to budge on hosting the event under a hybrid model, they are now being offered additional financial incentives to end the deadlock,” the insider told PTI.

“Chances are (that) by tomorrow (Tuesday), a clear picture will emerge after a virtual discussion by board representatives on under which format the Champions Trophy would eventually be held early next year,” the source added. “The PCB so far has resisted all such moves, insisting (that) if India is not willing to play in Pakistan it is their problem as all the (other) six other participating nations have no issues (with) playing in Pakistan,” stated the source.

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Another insider said that the PCB has insisted the India vs Pakistan group stage match as well as the final be held in Lahore even if PCB accepts the hybrid model proposal. “The PCB is also insisting that even if it agrees to a hybrid model, the Pakistan and India group (stage) match and the final should be held in Lahore,” said the insider. “Obviously, the Indian cricket board is not agreeable to this and is insisting (that) India should play all its matches in Dubai, including the one against Pakistan, the semi-final and the final if they qualify for it,” he continued.

Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi shortlisted as venues 

The official schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy is yet to be released but as per the draft schedule, the tournament will be held from 19 February to 9 March. Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi are the venues which have been shortlisted. “As far as we are concerned, all the preparations for the tournament, including the construction work at the three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi is continuing on schedule," informed a PCB official.

The 2023 Asia Cup was due to be held completely in Pakistan but was held in a hybrid format. Sri Lanka hosted nine matches including the final whereas Pakistan hosted four games. India played all their matches in Sri Lanka. India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup. Since 2012, the two teams have only faced off in ICC and ACC competitions. Pakistan, thouh, travelled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they missed out on the semi-finals after finishing fifth.

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