Champions Trophy 2025 / Hybrid model approved for CT, India-Pakistan match will be played here

Champions Trophy 2025: The 2025 Champions Trophy, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the cricket world, is going to be hosted by Pakistan this time. The tournament will be played in the months of February and March. However, due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, there have been many controversies and discussions about the organization of the tournament.

Hybrid model agreed between India and Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already made it clear to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian team would not go to Pakistan. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said to adopt the same attitude towards India. After several rounds of meetings, the ICC, BCCI, and PCB have agreed on a hybrid model.

Dubai will be the venue for the India-Pakistan match

According to this agreement, the matches between India and Pakistan will not be held in Pakistan. Instead, the two teams will face each other in Dubai. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the fairness of the tournament and the political tension between the two countries.

Dates: The tournament will be held from 19 February to 9 March 2025.

Teams and format: Eight teams will participate in it, which will be divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

Same rules will apply in India's hosting as well

The PCB has laid down the condition that the hybrid model will not be limited to the 2025 Champions Trophy only. It will also be followed in other ICC tournaments.

Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Pakistan will not go to India in this tournament to be hosted by India. Pakistan's matches will be held at some other place, possibly in Dubai or Sri Lanka.

2026 T20 World Cup: Pakistan will not play matches in India in this tournament jointly organized by India and Sri Lanka and its matches will be held in Sri Lanka.

ICC meeting and upcoming decisions

A virtual meeting was held between top ICC officials and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday, which was also attended by BCCI secretary and ICC president Jay Shah. The final consensus on the hybrid model was reached in the meeting. The ICC may soon make an official announcement about this.

India and Pakistan: Balance between diplomacy and cricket

India and Pakistan have not had a bilateral series since the 2008 Asia Cup. However, the two teams have faced each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.

Pakistan participated in the ODI World Cup held in India last year.

India has not been able to visit Pakistan since 2008.

Will the hybrid model be successful?

This model is a compromise to keep the sporting event afloat, but it is limited to the conduct of the tournament only. Political tensions between the two countries and limited diplomatic contacts may pose challenges to the long-term success of this model.

Conclusion

The Champions Trophy 2025 will be a big event for cricket lovers, but the shifting of the India and Pakistan match to Dubai adds a new chapter. It will be interesting to see what impact the hybrid model will have on cricket and how effective this model will prove to be in the sporting relations between the two countries.