Champions Trophy 2025 to be played in hybrid model?

The 2025 Champions Trophy which is scheduled to take place in February-March 2025 in Pakistan could still be played in a ‘hybrid’ model like Asia Cup 2023 if India refuse to travel to the neighbouring country due to a government diktat. Even ICC won’t be able to force India to travel to Pakistan in such a scenario, a report said. After India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan, Asia Cup was held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka with majority of matches being held outside original hosts Pakistan.

The newly-elected PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently trying to seek assurance from BCCI and its general secretary Jay Shah who are in Dubai for the ICC board meeting. But a veteran administrator has told news agency PTI that if India decide not to travel to Pakistan due to a government diktat then ICC would have to look for alternatives.

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“Every member can raise concerns for discussion at Board meetings and then it would go to a vote. But if the government (of a member nation) expressly say that they can’t play there, ICC would need to look for an alternative,” a veteran administrator, who has attended multiple board meetings, told PTI.

“….because ICC Board’s position remains that it doesn’t expect its members to go against any policy/instructions issued by its own government,” he said.

India’s tennis team earlier this year travelled to Pakistan for Davis Cup while the Pakistan cricket team was in India last year for the ODI World Cup. Considering the recent events, there’s a possibility the Indian government takes a softer stand on sending the team for a ICC tournament like Champions Trophy, the source added.

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“The BCCI would obviously be compelled to look at it from the point of view that Pakistan government allowed its team to play in the World Cup in India last year.

“So, this being a global event and not a continental one like Asia Cup, the Indian government might take a softer stance. BCCI president Roger Binny and VP Rajiv Shukla had travelled to Pakistan during the Asia Cup,” hoped the ICC board member.

In the case the full Champions Trophy cannot take place in Pakistan then a few matches can be held in UAE.