Champions Trophy 2025 / Big decision on CT- Hybrid model announced, PCB gets reward in return

Champions Trophy 2025: The long-running dispute over the Champions Trophy 2025 has come to an end. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday, 19 December that the tournament will be held in a hybrid model. The Indian cricket team's matches will be played at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had been demanding for a long time.

Hybrid Model: Dispute and Solution

Under this model, the tournament will be hosted by Pakistan, but the Indian team's matches will be held at a neutral venue. The ICC has not named the neutral venue, but the BCCI's priority is Dubai, which makes it likely that Team India's matches will be held there.

The BCCI had made this demand citing security reasons and not getting permission from the Indian government. Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected this demand outright and took a tough stand. The PCB even threatened that if the hybrid model was implemented, it would withdraw from the tournament. However, after long negotiations and controversy, it was agreed upon.

Growing trend of neutral venues

The impact of this decision will not be limited to the Champions Trophy. The ICC has announced that this system will be applicable in every major tournament to be held by 2027.

Women's ODI World Cup 2025 (India)

Pakistan's women's team will play its matches outside India.

Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka)

Similarly, matches of Pakistan's men's team will also be held outside India.

Women's T20 World Cup 2028 (Pakistan)

India's women's team will play at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan.

How did the controversy start?

In November 2021, the ICC gave the hosting of the Champions Trophy to Pakistan. This was the first time since 1996 that the PCB was entrusted with the responsibility of an ICC tournament. After this, the PCB started preparations, but as the tournament approached, the controversy increased due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.

In November 2024, the BCCI officially informed the ICC that the Indian team would not go to Pakistan. After this, the PCB expressed displeasure and refused to accept it. Meanwhile, the PCB announced a trophy tour in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), which had to be canceled after BCCI's protest.

BCCI's concern and security issue

The BCCI's stance was considered right in view of security. Pakistan has a history of attacks on foreign cricket teams.

2009: There was a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

2002: A suicide attack took place outside the New Zealand team's hotel in Karachi.

Recently, the Sri Lanka A team had to leave the series midway due to the tense atmosphere in Pakistan.

Fans waiting for the schedule

Now that the ICC has made an official announcement, cricket lovers are waiting for the schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025. All eyes are on the match between India and Pakistan. The two teams are most likely to clash in Dubai.

Conclusion

The decision to go for a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025 is an important step for the ICC. It is not only an attempt to make the tournament safer but also a sign of maintaining a balanced cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan in the future. Now it remains to be seen what impact this decision has on cricket and what kind of exciting matches fans get to see.