According to former Pakistan captain Rashid Lati, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in a hybrid model. He claimed that an agreement has been reached between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Men in Blue will not travel to Pakistan for their matches and will compete in Dubai.
“The apex body of international cricket and the two boards have agreed to go ahead with a hybrid model,” Latif told RevSportz. “The PCB will not be stripped of the hosting rights, but India will play their games in a different country. A semi-final and the final would be played outside Pakistan if India make it to the knockout stage.”
The eight-team tournament has been scheduled for February-March next year, but the BCCI has refused to play in Pakistan after the Indian government declined to provide the NOC due to security issues. The ICC officials will meet on Friday to finalize the schedule and format of the global event.
Mohsin Naqvi, who heads the PCB, wants to host the entire tournament in the country. Rashid Latif reacted to Mohsin’s stance: “If I were the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I would have said the same thing. We had the same situation in last year’s Asia Cup, and it was played in a hybrid model.
“The ICC will give around $64-65 million to PCB as a hosting fee. Pakistan might earn more money if they agree to the hybrid model. I don’t think Pakistan will say no. The PCB and the ICC will soon make an announcement.
