New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy on December 19. This means that hosts and defending champions Pakistan will play India at the Dubai International Stadium.
India refused to travel to Pakistan for the eight-team tournament due to security concerns. PCB earlier refused to play the Champions trophy as per the hybrid model but backed down after settling on neutral venues for both sides in ICC tournaments.
“India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC board confirmed,” said a statement released by the global body.
The hybrid model will also extend to the 2025 Women’s World Cup which will be hosted by India and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. Both countries have not played any bilateral cricket since 2012. Pakistan last toured India for the limited-over series while India last travelled to Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2008. The Men in Blue will play all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai.
‘We enjoyed a lot in India during ODI World Cup 2023’: Fakhar Zaman
Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman in an interview with Sports Tak said that the team will miss playing in India as they enjoyed a lot during their visit for the ODI World Cup 2023. He further added that Pakistan team was delighted with the kind of support and hospitality they got in India
“The locals gave us a warm welcome when we went to Hyderabad for the first time, they all showered their love on us. Yes, we will miss it all. If India had come to Pakistan, we wouldve given them an even grander welcome and hospitality but they are not coming. Its fine, but were excited to play against them in Dubai” Zaman told Sports Tak.
Star Pakistani batter recently said that he will miss playing in India in future ICC events. India and Pakistan have reached an agreement to not play in each other’s countries during multinational tournaments. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
