ICC Gives PCB Ultimatum Over Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy 2025

The majority of the ICC board members were reportedly sympathetic to Pakistan’s plight.

Following an inconclusive meeting of its executive board on Friday due to the PCB’s firm stance, the International Cricket Council has instructed Pakistan to either adopt the ‘Hybrid’ format of hosting the Champions Trophy next year or be ready to be eliminated from the competition. Pakistan once again rejected the ‘Hybrid’ concept, despite India’s adamant reluctance to travel there due to security concerns, thus the emergency conference, which was intended to work out the event’s schedule for February or March of next year, was unable to reach an agreement.

Although it is known that the majority of the ICC board members sympathized with Pakistan’s plight, PCB president Mohsin Naqvi was nonetheless counseled to embrace the “Hybrid” model as the only “plausible solution” to the current crisis.

A ‘Hybrid’ arrangement would mean that the UAE will host India’s portion of the Champions Trophy matches.

“Look, even Pakistan is aware that no broadcaster will invest any money in an ICC event without India. Only if Mr. Mohsin Naqvi accepts the “Hybrid Model” can the ICC meeting on Saturday take place,” an ICC Board source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI.

“If not, then ICC Board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country (could be UAE too) but it will be held without Pakistan,” he said.

After Naqvi restated his nation’s stance once more, Friday’s meeting—which was presided over by deputy chairman Imran Khwaja due to departing head Greg Barclay’s absence for undisclosed reasons—was short. This was supposed to be Barclay’s final formal engagement before new chair Jay Shah took over early the following month.

A senior administrator of an ICC full member country, who is also a member of the Board, told PTI that “all parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Delhi reaffirmed the BCCI’s position that the Indian squad cannot visit Pakistan for security-related concerns.

A statement has been released by BCCI. When the nation’s Champions Trophy participation was brought up at a regular briefing, a MEA spokeswoman stated, “They have stated that there are security concerns there and therefore it is unlikely that the team will be going there.”

Naqvi, who has been in Dubai since Thursday to promote Pakistan’s position, was present during the meeting. Jay Shah, secretary of the BCCI, participated virtually at the meeting. On December 1, Shah will assume leadership as the next head of the ICC.

It is acknowledged that the PCB will have to forfeit gate income and its USD six million hosting fee in the event that the tournament is postponed. Additionally, their yearly earnings of USD 35 million would be significantly reduced.

Official broadcaster Star would then renegotiate the multi-billion dollar arrangement with the ICC, thus even the ICC will be in a bind if the ‘Hybrid Model’ is not put into place.

The event is only open from February 19 to March 9. After that, all other participating countries have bilateral engagements.

As of current now, the PCB may bargain for a significant payment in exchange for sharing hosting rights, but a whole tournament in Pakistan

As it stands, a complete tournament in Pakistan is doubtful, but the PCB may bargain for a significant payment in exchange for sharing the hosting rights.

Another way for Pakistan to retaliate against India is to boycott the 2025 ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in India. An experienced BCCI officer who has kept a close eye on ICC politics described the situation.

“Look, they may request a hybrid model for the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025, but it won’t happen very often. The majority of Pakistan’s matches in the men’s T20 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will take place in Sri Lanka. Later, the India vs. Pakistan match can be determined,” he continued.