New Delhi, Dec 13: The top officials of the ICC are set to finalize the details of the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy in a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday, various sources indicate.
It has been tentatively agreed that neither India nor Pakistan will visit each other’s country for ICC events. Thus, the matches between India and Pakistan will take place in Dubai during the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled from February 19 to March 9.
This tournament will include eight teams, separated into two groups, with the top two teams from each group moving on to the semifinals.
The PCB has expressed willingness to accept the hybrid model provided that similar arrangements are made for all ICC events hosted by India and Pakistan.
This implies that when India hosts the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, Pakistan will not visit India and will compete at a neutral venue instead.
For the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, India won’t be able to host the key match against Pakistan and will instead travel to Colombo for the much-anticipated encounter.
“There’s a virtual meeting scheduled for tomorrow, which ICC chairman Jay Shah will attend from Brisbane. An official announcement from the ICC is expected afterward,” an ICC official informed PTI.
Currently, the PCB will not receive any compensation for agreeing to the hybrid model.
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. However, Pakistan made a visit to India last year for the ODI World Cup. (PTI)
