In a major development ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan government has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against accepting a hybrid model for hosting the tournament. This directive followed a request from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who sought government intervention after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declared that the Indian cricket team would not travel to Pakistan.
The BCCI had informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of the Indian government’s refusal to permit the team’s travel, citing security concerns. The ICC subsequently relayed this decision to the PCB, prompting Naqvi to consult with the Pakistani government for guidance on the matter.
The PCB is now pushing for clarity from the ICC, emphasizing the significance of India-Pakistan matches for generating ICC revenue. “If India’s participation contributes to ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role is equally crucial, and without Pakistan-India matches, the ICC revenues would suffer significantly,” according to reports. The PCB has sent a formal email to the ICC, with input from its legal team, seeking detailed explanations for India’s refusal and any related proposals, such as the hybrid model.
The hybrid model, which was considered a possible solution to India’s reluctance, involved playing India’s matches at a neutral venue, like Dubai, while other games would be held in Pakistan. However, Naqvi recently ruled out the hybrid format, stating, “There is no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a Hybrid Model system as of now.” This stance was taken despite the ICC’s prior preparations for a hybrid setup, as India has consistently declined to play in Pakistan for the past several years.
Meanwhile, BCCI officials have emphasized that India will only travel to Pakistan if explicitly permitted by the Indian government. Earlier this year, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla reiterated that India’s participation depends on government clearance. The PCB’s firm position to host the entire tournament in Pakistan is supported by the fact that all other participating nations have confirmed their involvement, with India being the sole exception.
The political and security issues between India and Pakistan complicate this situation. India has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which were linked to Pakistan, and the two teams now only compete in ICC events and Asia Cups. The last time India toured Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup.
With the tournament scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, the ICC is under pressure to resolve this impasse quickly. The global cricket body faces potential legal and commercial challenges if a solution is not reached, given its contractual obligations with broadcasters and sponsors who expect all major teams to participate. Should the tournament be moved to a neutral venue, there is a possibility that Pakistan could withdraw altogether, adding further complications.
Currently, venues like South Africa and the UAE are being considered as backup options if Pakistan does not host the event. A PCB source confirmed that the board is still awaiting policy guidance from the government on how to proceed and is prepared to take a strong stance if necessary, pointing out that any adverse decisions could have significant repercussions on ICC’s commercial agreements.
The PCB remains committed to the tournament, and its next steps will be guided by ongoing consultations with the Pakistan government. The situation underscores the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan, which continue to impact cricketing relations and events involving both nations.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
