Hybrid model approved for Champions Trophy 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday that the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy will be played under a hybrid model, with matches between India and Pakistan scheduled to take place at a neutral venue.

This decision, approved by the ICC Board, is part of an agreement covering ICC events from 2025 to 2027.

The hybrid model will apply to several major ICC events, including the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan, the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Additionally, Pakistan has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2028 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will also follow the neutral venue arrangement.

The neutral venues for these games will be proposed by the host boards and must be approved by the ICC.

In a related development, ESPNcricinfo reports that a triangular T20I series involving India, Pakistan, and another Asian or Associate nation could be organized at neutral venues.

This would be a form of compensation for Pakistan’s inability to host India’s matches during the Champions Trophy.

The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, though the official tournament schedule has yet to be released due to ongoing uncertainties regarding the venues.

Pakistan is scheduled to host 10 matches, while India’s three league matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, will be played in Dubai.

The semifinal and final are also slated to take place in Dubai, though if India is eliminated early, the semifinals and final will be moved to Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have prevented the two countries from playing bilateral series since 2012-13, with the teams only meeting in ICC events and the Asia Cup. India has not traveled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained political relations.

A similar hybrid model was used during the 2023 Men’s 50-over Asia Cup, where India played their matches, including the semifinals and final, in Colombo, while Pakistan hosted the remainder of the tournament.