ICC Warns Pakistan: Accept Hybrid Model for 2025 Champions Trophy or Face Exclusion

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it must either accept the ‘Hybrid’ model for hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy or risk being excluded from the event.

This ultimatum follows a meeting of the ICC executive board on Friday, which failed to reach an agreement due to the PCB’s refusal to accept the proposed model.

Despite Pakistan’s objections, India has firmly stated that it will not travel to Pakistan for security reasons, leaving the situation unresolved.

Stalemate at ICC Executive Board Meeting

The meeting on Friday, which aimed to finalize the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy, ended without a consensus after Pakistan rejected the ‘Hybrid’ hosting model.

This model suggests that India’s matches would be played in a neutral country, such as the UAE, while other matches would take place in Pakistan.

The ICC, understanding Pakistan’s predicament, advised PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi to accept this proposal as the most viable solution.

While many ICC board members sympathized with Pakistan’s desire to host the tournament in full, the board emphasized that India’s participation in the event is crucial for its financial success.

According to an anonymous ICC Board source, “No broadcaster will give a penny to an ICC event which does not have India, and even Pakistan knows that.”

The source further stated that the Saturday ICC meeting would only proceed if Naqvi agrees to the ‘Hybrid’ model. If Pakistan continues to refuse, the tournament may be relocated entirely, possibly to the UAE, without Pakistan’s involvement.

Pakistan Faces Financial Loss if Tournament is Shifted

During the meeting, held under the chairmanship of Imran Khwaja, the deputy chairperson, no resolution was achieved. This was Greg Barclay’s final meeting before the transition to the new ICC chair, Jay Shah, who will take over on December 1.

The meeting was brief, and while there were discussions about resolving the issue, no agreement was made on how the tournament would be scheduled.

If the tournament is rescheduled or shifted to another location, the PCB stands to lose significant revenue, including a USD 6 million hosting fee and gate revenues, in addition to a potential reduction in its annual ICC payment of USD 35 million.

Moreover, the official broadcaster, Star, could renegotiate its multi-billion dollar deal with the ICC, which would complicate the situation further.

India’s Stance on Security Concerns

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India reiterated the stance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has expressed concerns about security in Pakistan.

An MEA spokesperson confirmed that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to these concerns. Mohsin Naqvi attended the meeting in Dubai to advocate for Pakistan’s position, while BCCI Secretary Jay Shah participated remotely.

Pakistan’s efforts to resolve the issue and host the tournament were also complicated by the financial implications.

If the ‘Hybrid’ model is implemented, Pakistan could still share the hosting rights but would face a reduced role. The tournament’s window is limited, with the only available dates between February 19 and March 9, as other countries’ bilateral commitments prevent flexibility.

Potential Backlash and Future ICC Events

The ongoing tensions surrounding the Champions Trophy have led to speculation about Pakistan retaliating by refusing to participate in future ICC events in India, such as the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup.

However, the logistics of such a move remain uncertain, with some experts considering it a long shot.

The situation for Pakistan’s 2025 T20 World Cup could see their matches primarily played in Sri Lanka, with the India vs Pakistan match being decided later.

As the ICC board meets again on Saturday, the final decision on the Champions Trophy’s hosting format is expected. The board is likely to allow the ‘Hybrid’ model, considering the security situation and civil unrest in Pakistan, which further complicates hosting the tournament there.

This will mark the first major ICC tournament in nearly three decades for Pakistan, and the decision will determine where the matches are played and possibly reserve neutral venues for India’s games and the knockout stages.