The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given its approval for a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with Pakistan and Dubai set to co-host the tournament.
This development follows extended discussions and a consensus reached between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). An official announcement from the ICC is expected soon.
Under this arrangement, Pakistan will host a significant portion of the matches, while Dubai will serve as the venue for India's fixtures. This decision addresses the security concerns raised by some cricket boards while ensuring participation from all teams.
The tournament is scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with Pakistan hosting 10 matches, including games in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
However, all three of India's group-stage matches, including their highly anticipated clash with Pakistan, will be held in Dubai. The semi-final and final are also set to take place in Dubai, unless India is eliminated early, in which case these matches will be played in Pakistan.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have long affected their cricketing ties, with bilateral series suspended since 2012-13. The two teams now meet only during ICC events or the Asia Cup. India has not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained political relations.
This hybrid hosting model aims to balance these sensitivities while ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament. A similar approach was implemented during the 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s matches, including the semi-finals and final, were held in Colombo, and Pakistan hosted the rest of the tournament.
As part of the agreement, the PCB has also secured the hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027, marking a significant achievement for Pakistan cricket.
Meanwhile, the two boards have also reached an understanding regarding the T20 World Cup in 2026. Pakistan will not travel to India for their group-stage match against their arch-rivals, which will instead be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will see Pakistan defending their title, having won the tournament in its previous edition in 2017. The hybrid model allows the ICC, PCB, and BCCI to address logistical and political challenges while ensuring a fair and competitive tournament.
In preparation for the Champions Trophy, a delegation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) recently visited Karachi’s National Stadium to inspect facilities ahead of an upcoming ODI tri-series in February 2025.
The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, will act as a warm-up for the global event. The NZC delegation, which included members of the New Zealand Players’ Association and security experts, also visited Rawalpindi and Lahore to evaluate the readiness of these venues.
The tri-series matches are scheduled to take place in Multan from February 8 to 14, providing teams with an opportunity to fine-tune their skills ahead of the Champions Trophy.
This event further highlights Pakistan's growing role in hosting major international tournaments and the confidence of cricketing nations in the country's ability to deliver successful events.
In a related move, European cricket members are reportedly discussing a plan to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. While not directly linked to cricket, this development underscores how international decisions, whether in sport or politics, often reflect broader cooperation and adjustments among nations.
Follow us
