The International Cricket Council (ICC) has endorsed a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, allowing matches to be held in both Pakistan and Dubai. This decision follows an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Pakistan will host ten matches of the tournament, but all three of India’s league-stage games, including the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, will take place in Dubai.
Additionally, the semifinal and final are also scheduled for Dubai unless India is eliminated during the group stage, in which case these matches will move to Lahore and Rawalpindi. The tournament, featuring eight teams divided into two groups, will run from February 19 to March 9, 2025. This approach is reminiscent of the 2023 Men’s Asia Cup, where a similar model was implemented.
Pakistan to Play 2026 T20 World Cup Matches in Colombo
In a related development, Pakistan has decided not to travel to India for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Instead, Pakistan’s group-stage matches, including the marquee clash against India, will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which co-hosts the tournament alongside India.
The PCB made this decision following its stance on reciprocity, as India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Although Pakistan loses the opportunity to host India matches, the ICC has compensated by granting the PCB hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament post-2027.
No Financial Compensation but Mutual Agreement
While the PCB will not receive financial compensation for losing hosting rights to India’s matches in the Champions Trophy, the agreement ensures logistical harmony for these major events.
All three parties—ICC, PCB, and BCCI—have expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, which address geopolitical challenges while maintaining the integrity of the tournaments. This collaboration underscores the importance of balancing sportsmanship with regional sensitivities to facilitate the smooth conduct of global cricketing events.
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