In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to follow the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Indian National Cricket Team will not play its matches on Pakistani soil.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly ready to make “adjustments” to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule, with India’s matches set to be moved from Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India’s matches were scheduled to be hosted in Lahore
A few months ago, the provisional schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was revealed. According to that schedule, India’s matches were to be held in Lahore for logistical and security reasons.
The competition is scheduled for February 19, 2025 and the high-octane match between India and Pakistan was scheduled for March 1. However, it now appears that the clash between the arch-rivals will take place at a venue in the United Arab Emirates. Emirates.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently renovating all the stadiums that will host the matches of the flagship tournament and is spending almost Rs 13 billion. Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will reportedly host the matches in Pakistan along with a venue in the United Arab Emirates.
PCB believes that even if the Indian government does not authorize the tour to Pakistan, slight adjustments can be made – Source
A PCB source during an interaction with PTI stated that the Pakistan Cricket Board is ready to follow the hybrid model if the Indian government does not allow the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send its team to Pakistan.
“The PCB feels that even if the Indian government does not sanction the tour to Pakistan, minor adjustments can be made in the schedule as in all likelihood India will play its matches in Dubai or Sharjah,” a reliable PCB source told PTI.
A recent report in SportsTak also revealed that the Indian government has denied permission to the BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan. Since the government is not allowing the Rohit Sharma-led team to visit Pakistan, the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board cannot do anything.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian govt denies permission to BCCI to send Indian team to Pakistan
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule to be announced on November 11
As mentioned earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board had already sent a provisional schedule to the International Cricket Council and wants the governing body to announce the schedule on November 11. The Pakistan Cricket Board does not want to delay the announcement of the schedule because a backup plan for the Indian matches is underway. outside Pakistan is already underway along with the necessary budget.
“The PCB has discussed with the ICC the provisional schedule, which they sent a few months ago, and wants the same schedule to be announced on November 11,” the source said.
“He has told the ICC that since a backup plan with a revised budget is already in place, there is no point in delaying the publication of a tentative match schedule.”
Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board has strictly demanded the Board of Control for Cricket in India to confirm the Indian government’s stance in writing, and they want the BCCI to quickly announce its decision.
“The PCB wants the BCCI to indicate in writing whether it gets permission from its government or not to send its team to Pakistan,” the source said.
The hybrid model is not something new for Pakistan as the same model was followed by the Pakistan Cricket Board during the Asia Cup 2023, when the competition was co-hosted by Sri Lanka after India refused to visit Pakistan.
