A significant breakthrough appears to have occurred regarding the contentious arrangements for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Reports from various sources suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have tentatively agreed to implement a hybrid model for global cricket tournaments hosted in either Pakistan or India through 2027. This model would enable matches to be played at neutral venues for events taking place in either country.
Despite confirmation of this potential agreement by multiple sources, the PCB, which holds the official hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy, has not provided any official commentary. The PCB has only indicated that discussions are ongoing. One notable aspect remains unclear: whether the hybrid model will apply to both men's and women's tournaments.
Within the ICC's current commercial cycle from 2024 to 2027, there are three major global events scheduled in either country. These include the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which is set for February 2025, the women’s ODI World Cup in India later the same year, and the men's T20 World Cup in 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The development reportedly surfaced following discussions on Thursday between the newly appointed ICC chair, Jay Shah, and PCB chair, Mohsin Naqvi. The two held conversations in Dubai during a courtesy board meeting organized by Shah, who was visiting the ICC headquarters for the first time in his new capacity. Plans for a further board meeting to discuss details of the Champions Trophy are set for December 7.
The PCB's acceptance of the hybrid model for the eight-team Champions Trophy reportedly hinges on a series of conditions. A critical demand is that the hybrid model should encompass all ICC events, including women’s tournaments, to be held in Pakistan and India until at least 2027 and potentially throughout the entire current event cycle, which runs until 2031.
Compensation for possible revenue losses stemming from India’s Champions Trophy matches being conducted at a different venue is another major condition being put forward. Should India advance to the knockout stages of the tournament, it is likely that at least one semi-final and possibly the final would be contested outside Pakistan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka are currently favored as possible neutral venues.
To mitigate any financial implications caused by matches being played at alternative locations, the PCB has proposed the organization of a tri-nation series, which would involve India, Pakistan, and a third nation. This arrangement could help to balance out any economic losses experienced by either board.
As discussions between the PCB and the ICC progress, additional negotiations are expected before the ultimate decision is reached during the board meeting on December 7. The PCB had initially planned to commence the Champions Trophy on February 19, with matches scheduled across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, the ongoing stalemate between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — the latter having informed the ICC that travel to Pakistan for the tournament lacks the necessary clearance from the Indian government — has hindered the ICC's ability to finalize a tournament schedule.
In a related development, Jay Shah, who served as the secretary of the BCCI from December 2019 until December 1 of this year, has officially assumed the position of chairperson at the ICC. At 36 years old, he is the youngest individual to hold this esteemed role. In his inaugural media communication as chair, Shah articulated a vision for a "new era" for international cricket, emphasizing a commitment to elevate the game to "unprecedented heights" in collaboration with the member nations.
Although the entire ICC Board was not physically present during the discussions held on Thursday, Shah noted that he had engaged with several directors to outline an "initial roadmap and strategies" for the future trajectory of the sport.
Shah's transition to the ICC has sparked speculation regarding his successor at the BCCI. Since 2022, he had represented the BCCI on the ICC Board, and he was also influential as the head of the Finance & Commercial Affairs Committee. The BCCI has yet to announce a new secretary, but the board's joint-secretary, Devajit Saikia, was noted to be in attendance at the ICC meetings in Dubai this week. This attendance raises the possibility that Saikia could be considered as the BCCI representative on the ICC Board moving forward.
As the cricketing landscape continues to evolve, the outcomes of these negotiations and strategic plans could significantly influence the direction and organization of international cricket in the coming years, particularly in the context of competitions involving India and Pakistan. The necessity for collaboration and consensus among cricketing nations has never been more pressing, as they navigate the complexities of hosting global events and fostering the game's growth across regions.