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Xtra Time Web Desk: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has endorsed a hybrid hosting model for the 2025 Champions Trophy after an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Matches will be held in Pakistan and Dubai, with India’s games exclusively hosted in Dubai due to geopolitical sensitivities.

In a landmark decision, the BCCI and PCB also agreed that Pakistan will not travel to India for their league-stage match in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Instead, this high-stakes clash will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the co-host of the tournament.

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Key highlights:

1) Hybrid Hosting Model: The 2025 Champions Trophy will see matches across three venues, with India’s games in Dubai.

2) Consensus on 2026 T20 World Cup: India and Pakistan’s league-stage encounter will be played in Colombo, ensuring logistical and diplomatic balance.

3) PCB's Strategic Gains: While no financial compensation was offered for missing the opportunity to host India matches, the PCB secured hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament post-2027.

4) Stakeholders' Approval: The ICC, BCCI, and PCB expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, ensuring smooth execution of marquee events.
Behind the Scenes

The Emirates Cricket Board is reportedly prepared to host India's matches, with Dubai emerging as a preferred venue. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who emphasized the importance of government consultation before finalizing agreements.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, featuring eight teams in two groups, followed by semifinals and the final. The hybrid format echoes the successful model used in the 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s games were held in Colombo.

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Clarifications on Format Speculations

Contrary to speculation, an ICC source clarified that the Champions Trophy would retain its 50-over format. "Shifting to T20 would diminish its significance. Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is, would miss out, impacting the tournament’s appeal," the source told Sports Tak.

This collaborative approach between cricket’s biggest stakeholders signals a new era of diplomacy and pragmatism in global cricket governance.