Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @icctrophytour
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given Pakistan an ultimatum to accept the ‘Hybrid’ model for hosting next year’s Champions Trophy or risk being excluded from the event. The impasse emerged after an emergency ICC executive board meeting on Friday ended inconclusively due to Pakistan’s continued rejection of the model, despite India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns. The meeting was aimed at finalizing the event’s schedule for February-March 2025.
While many ICC board members reportedly sympathized with Pakistan’s position, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi was urged to accept the ‘Hybrid’ model, described as the only “plausible solution” to the current deadlock. Under this model, India’s matches in the Champions Trophy would be held in the UAE.
“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 told PTI, according to NDTV Sports. “If not, then the ICC Board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country (possibly UAE) but it will be held without Pakistan,” the source added.
The meeting, chaired by ICC Deputy Chairperson Imran Khwaja in the absence of outgoing head Greg Barclay, was brief, with Naqvi reiterating Pakistan’s stance. This meeting marked Barclay’s final official engagement before Jay Shah assumes the ICC chairmanship on December 1.
“All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025, and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days,” a senior ICC administrator stated.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated the BCCI‘s position that the Indian team cannot travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. “BCCI has issued a statement. They have said that there are security concerns there, and it is therefore unlikely that the team will be going there,” an MEA spokesperson said.
Naqvi, who has been in Dubai since Thursday to advocate Pakistan’s stance, attended the meeting in person, while BCCI Secretary Jay Shah participated online. If Pakistan refuses the Hybrid Model, the PCB may have to forgo its $6 million hosting fee, gate revenues, and potentially face a cut in its annual revenue of $35 million.
Broadcaster Star Sports could also renegotiate its multi-billion-dollar deal with the ICC, leaving the governing body in a challenging position. With the only available window for the tournament being February 19 to March 9, any further delays could jeopardize the event.
Pakistan could negotiate for compensation for sharing hosting rights, but a full tournament in Pakistan is unlikely. In response, Pakistan might opt to skip the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India in 2025. A veteran BCCI official noted that Pakistan’s matches in the co-hosted Men’s T20 World Cup (India and Sri Lanka) could be held in Sri Lanka, with decisions on India vs. Pakistan matches deferred for later.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
