In a major update for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 the Pakistan government has instructed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to accept a hybrid model for hosting the tournament.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi recently approached the government after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan.
The BCCI had informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian government wouldn’t permit the team to travel for the Champions Trophy. The ICC then informed PCB of India’s stance, prompting Naqvi to seek guidance from the Pakistan government.
As reported by RevSportz, the Pakistan government has now told the PCB to refuse the hybrid hosting model, which was considered the only way for India to participate in the tournament. With the government’s decision, it’s uncertain what steps the PCB and ICC will take to move forward smoothly.
Naqvi is likely to inform the ICC about this decision, putting the ICC in a difficult position due to tense relations between India and Pakistan. With the Champions Trophy less than 100 days away the ICC needs to act quickly to keep plans on track.
Although the ICC had been working on a hybrid model due to India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan, the PCB remains firm on hosting the full tournament in Pakistan.
In the recent Asia Cup, Pakistan also had to host matches in a hybrid format, with India’s games held in Sri Lanka. However, the PCB is determined this time to keep the entire Champions Trophy within Pakistan, with India as the only team yet to confirm participation.
India hasn’t toured Pakistan since 2008 due to political tensions following the Mumbai terror attack, which had links to Pakistan. The Champions Trophy is scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025, but the schedule may change if India’s participation remains unresolved
