Champions Trophy 2025: PCB ready to accept hybrid model as chairman Mohsin Naqvi meets UAE cricket secretary in Dubai

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly ready to accept a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, but on one condition. According to a report in news agency PTI, the PCB is “willing to accept” a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy and play India in Dubai only if the International Cricket Council (ICC) implements the same policy for all upcoming global tournaments till 2031.

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A few weeks ago, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had informed the ICC that the Indian team would not be travelling to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy after failing to get government clearance amid security concerns.

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The BCCI had proposed a hybrid model for the tournament and while the PCB was reluctant initially, they now appear to have softened their stance on refusing to even discuss such a proposal.

Mohsin Naqvi meets ECB’s Mubashshir Usmani

The ICC had held a board meeting virtually on Friday (29 November), but that meeting lasted for less than 15 minutes without any outcome. Another meeting was reportedly expected to take place on Saturday, but ultimately did not happen. On Saturday, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) General Secretary Mubashshir Usmani in Dubai, where he held discussions on the hybrid model, as per a PTI report.

As per the report, Naqvi told Usmani that Pakistan were all set to host the 2025 Champions Trophy and that preparations were right on track. Naqvi further informed Usmani that all teams would get state-level security, while also adding that fans were eagerly waiting to see top teams in action.

ICC gives PCB an ultimatum

It was also reported that the ICC had given the PCB an ultimatum urging them to accept the hybrid model while adding that the Champions Trophy would go ahead without them if they refused to comply.

“Look, no broadcaster will give a penny to an ICC event which does not have India and even Pakistan knows that. The ICC meeting on Saturday will only happen if Mr Mohsin Naqvi agrees with the ‘Hybrid Model’,” an ICC Board source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

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“If not, then ICC Board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country (could be UAE too) but it will be held without Pakistan,” the source added.

India have not toured Pakistan since 2008, when the Men in Blue, led by MS Dhoni, took part in the Asia Cup. India had reached the final of that edition where they lost to Sri Lanka by 100 runs.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have travelled to India twice after playing two T20Is and three ODIs in the 2012-13 season – the last time the two arch-rivals faced each other in a bilateral series. The Men in Green travelled to their neighbouring country in 2016 and 2023 for the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup respectively – both tournaments hosted exclusively by India.