Pakistan May Not Host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Event to Take Place in Hybrid Model at Dubai

By Gaming Mitra

Entertainment

In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan will not be hosting the coming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The host Pakistan will be replaced by UAE or the tournament will be reportedly played as a hybrid model like the Asia Cup if the Indian Government does not change its decision.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has pushed the International Cricket Council (ICC) to sign the Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights agreements, emphasising that the PCB should not be reimbursed if India refuses to travel to Pakistan.

According to a highly credible source (PTI), while the ICC has picked Pakistan as the host, the international body has yet to decide whether or not to sign the crucial hosting agreement with it.

According to the source, PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer met with the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad to explore hosting the prestigious tournament in February-March 2025.

“Pakistani officials discussed the probability of the Indian board (BCCI) again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation the ICC must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament,” a source said.

It can be said that the Indian team would be not travelling to Pakistan due to security and political reasons. Given the hazards, the Indian government is hesitant to send the Men in Blue to the neighbouring country.

“The PCB officials said many top teams had toured Pakistan in the last two years without any security concerns.

“They also made it clear that in case of India not sending its team and its matches being moved to another country, then the ICC must compensate Pakistan for this,” the source of PTI added.

Pakistan Hosted the Asia Cup 2023 before the ICC World Cup 2023. The matches involved India were played in a hybrid version and they were held in Sri Lanka.

Inaugurated in 1998, the ICC Champions Trophy is a One-Day International Tournament for the eight top-ranked One Day International (ODI) men’s national teams held by ICC.

The 2025-year trophy is the ninth edition of this esteemed championship in Cricket. It will take place from Feb-Mar in 2025. There are chances that the schedule for the Champions Trophy will also change because it may conflict with other major cricketing events, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The last edition of this tournament was won by Pakistan against Team India which took place in England & Wales.

Also Read: PMGC 2023 Grand Finals: Sixteen Finalists to Fight for Glory and Ultimate Championship


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