New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly agreed to host the Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model, ending their tussle with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). PCB decided to accept the hybrid model after receiving the final ultimatum from ICC in the brief meeting that took place on Friday, November 29.
During the meeting, the ICC made it clear to the PCB that hosting the tournament without India was not an option and that the PCB might lose complete hosting rights of the tournament if it didn’t accept a hybrid model. PCB and BCCI were involved in a standoff over the venue of the premier tournament after BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.
It has now emerged that PCB has relented to the pressure and is ready to accept a hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025. As per a report in India Today, sources have revealed that PCB has agreed to accept ICC’s request but have imposed some conditions to safeguard their hosting rights. PCB have notably imposed three major conditions to host the tournament in a hybrid model.
What are the conditions imposed by the PCB?
1) As per India Today, the PCB has agreed that all of India’s matches in the tournament will be played in Dubai after the BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan. India’s semi-final and final will be played in Dubai if they qualify.
2) Pakistan Cricket Board has informed the ICC that they want to host the semi-final and final matches in Lahore in case India fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.
3) PCB has also urged the ICC to ensure all their matches are played at a neutral venue in the ICC tournaments hosted by India in the future.
Hybrid model good news for PCB and ICC
ICC’s virtual board meeting which consisted of representatives from all 12 full-member nations had come to an end without an agreement on the solution regarding the final venue of the Champions Trophy on Friday. However, the PCB’s acceptance of the hybrid model has now paved way for the ICC to conduct the tournament smoothly.
PCB’s decision to accept the hybrid model is good news for the international cricket body as the tournament was left in limbo amid uncertainty over India’s participation. All stakeholders, including the broadcasters, will be happy that the marquee India-Pakistan clash will remain on the roster and will arguably be the biggest game in the group stage.
PCB’s decision is also a good one for them considering the tournament being shifted out of Pakistan entirely would have had huge financial implications. PCB would have lost out on roughly 65 million USD that the ICC will pay them for hosting the tournament. With the hybrid model, PCB will remain the host and pocket that money while India will get to play all their matches in Dubai.
If the report turns out to be true, it will not be the first time that the PCB will be hosting a tournament in a hybrid model to accommodate India. Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup 2023 last year which was played in a hybrid model after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. India played all their matches, including the final of the tournament in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly agreed to hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model after receiving an ultimatum from the ICC. However, Pakistan have imposed some conditions on the ICC. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
