The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reached a significant agreement regarding the hosting and structure of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be conducted in a hybrid format. Under this arrangement, India will play its share of matches in Dubai, while the remaining games will be held in Pakistan. This compromise came after a series of negotiations between ICC President Jay Shah, Board of Directors representatives, and Pakistani officials. The deal is seen as a breakthrough that accommodates the concerns of both India and Pakistan while ensuring the continuity of multi-lateral cricket events.
The 2025 Champions Trophy, set to take place in February-March, will mark a major international cricket event in the UAE and Pakistan. For India, this hybrid model provides a solution to the longstanding issue of not wanting to travel to Pakistan due to security and political concerns. With this arrangement, India can participate in the tournament without the need to travel to Pakistan, and the competition will go ahead as scheduled, with matches split between the two countries.
This hybrid model is not just for the 2025 Champions Trophy but has been agreed "in principle" by all stakeholders to be extended to other ICC events until 2027. This means that similar arrangements will likely be in place for major cricket tournaments held during this period. The arrangement is expected to include events like the Women's ODI World Cup, which India will host later this year, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka. The hybrid model will ensure that, even if politically charged issues arise between India and Pakistan, both countries can still participate in high-profile events without compromising on their safety and security concerns.
Pakistan, after initially threatening to boycott the event, agreed to the hybrid model after negotiations during an ICC meeting last week. However, Pakistan's officials have called for a reciprocal arrangement, requesting that they also have the option of playing their matches in neutral venues during ICC events. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded that this arrangement be extended until 2031, providing them with the flexibility to avoid playing in India. The ICC responded by agreeing to the hybrid model for all major ICC tournaments through 2027, offering a diplomatic solution that is expected to prevent any disruptions to future events. This includes the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka, while the Indian team will play their matches in India.
This hybrid solution will also affect other teams in the region. For example, it is expected that the Indian women's team may have to travel to a neutral venue, likely Dubai or another location, to play against Pakistan if the match is scheduled in the upcoming ICC Women's events. Though the hybrid model will resolve many of the logistical issues between the two countries, it remains to be seen how exactly future schedules will be organized to ensure that the integrity of the tournaments is maintained.
One of the key factors in facilitating this agreement is the ICC's understanding of the political and security realities surrounding India and Pakistan. The Indian team has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 150 people. That tragic incident led to a breakdown in diplomatic and cricketing ties between the two nations, and India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan has been a long-standing issue. Despite occasional calls for dialogue and cooperation, security concerns have continued to dominate discussions surrounding bilateral series. The last bilateral cricket series between the two countries took place in 2012, with no subsequent series scheduled since then.
In light of this, the ICC has consistently stated that it does not expect any of its member boards to go against government travel advisories. The decision to establish a hybrid model for ICC tournaments reflects this reality, where international cricket boards have to find a way to work within the confines of security protocols and diplomatic relationships. The hybrid model ensures that no country is forced into a situation where it must jeopardize the safety of its players or officials.
While the hybrid model resolves some logistical issues, it does not address all potential challenges. There are financial implications to such an arrangement, particularly for countries like Pakistan, which may not receive the full economic benefit of hosting the games. The PCB, which has already expressed its desire for a more substantial share of the revenue generated by such events, is still negotiating with the ICC over the financial terms of this new agreement. These discussions are expected to continue over the coming months, especially regarding how the revenue from the Champions Trophy and other tournaments will be distributed between the host nations.
For broadcasters, including Star Sports, the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy has been a point of concern. As per the contract between the ICC and Star Sports, the broadcaster was expecting the schedule to be released at least 90 days before the start of the tournament. However, delays in finalizing the hybrid model and the related logistics have caused a breach of this deadline. As a result, Star Sports representatives were in Dubai recently to discuss the operational aspects of the hybrid model and the tournament’s schedule with ICC officials. However, these discussions were postponed, further delaying the release of the Champions Trophy schedule, which is eagerly anticipated by both fans and broadcasters alike.
Despite these delays, the hybrid model is seen as a practical solution to an otherwise difficult problem. As the landscape of international cricket continues to evolve with new challenges, the ICC's ability to find diplomatic solutions will be crucial for ensuring the success and continuity of major global events. The hybrid model, while not perfect, offers a compromise that respects the security concerns of both India and Pakistan while maintaining the integrity and excitement of the Champions Trophy and other ICC events.
Ultimately, this agreement signals that cricket can be a unifying force even in the face of complex political challenges. It will be interesting to see how this model evolves in the future and whether it can serve as a blueprint for resolving similar issues in other international sporting events. The development also highlights the importance of diplomacy, understanding, and compromise in the world of sports, where the interests of players, fans, and governing bodies must all be carefully balanced to ensure the continued growth and success of the game.
