The ICC is ready with a proposal which is in discussion for a hybrid model of the Champions Trophy in 2025, the edition of the premier event which was scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year. As per report from Cricbuzz on Wednesday (November 27), the ICC has called the board of directors meeting on Friday (November 29) to discuss the venue of ICC Champions Tournament in wake of India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan in the eight-team tournament in February-March next year.
However, that has been cited, though, by media reports, the decision has yet not been affirmed ratified by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but informed the PCB and ICC of its planned activities.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had repeatedly been saying it will not entertain this hybrid model but all matches were to be in Pakistan, but as the latest information, it says that a hybrid model has been touted in discussions, featuring 10 games in Pakistan and five in another country, including one semi-final and the final.
According to the Cricbuzz report, “As potentially coming through this way out, it may be agreed to keep both the semifinals and the final in Pakistan itself for the unlikely case of India not qualifying to the last four or last two stages, along with the other measures that are very operationally and logistically quite difficult while this concession is likely to shell out considering the nature of the circumstances above and the venues prepared ahead of time with all their which is both hotel and travel booking.”
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are possible venues for hosting matches between India and the ICC, but the chance of matches being held here in South Africa is not entirely ruled out.
The report as it stands now suggests that PCB would be less likely to support it immediately, but with majorities from the overwhelming number of ICC boards in favor of the prospect, it would not have much recourse. There is also the possibility that if the Pakistan Cricket Board rejects the hybrid model, the entire tournament could be proposed away from the country by the ICC board.
