ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan defies everyone, involves Saudi Arabia

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly sent an invitation to Saudi Arabia's cricket head Prince Saud bin Mashal Al-Saud to watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the country.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi sent the invitation to his Saudi counterpart. While the invitation has been sent, it is to be noted that the final schedule of the tournament is yet to be announced.

Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation chief Prince Saud bin Mashal Al-Saud was recently in the news for his presence at the IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah. He was invited by the BCCI.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Imam-ul-Haq levels serious allegations against Pakistan selectors

Chaos surrounding ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Champions Trophy 2025 was originally slated to be held in Pakistan but has been in danger since India's refusal to travel to the country. Ever since India's refusal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been looking for various options to host the tournament.

While Pakistan have protested against this decision and desires to host the whole tournament in the country, the ICC has been looking for a hybrid model to allow India to participate.

The draft schedule of the tournament had been announced months ago by the PCB and the ICC was expected to announce the final schedule last month. However, India's decision not to travel to the country has made the ICC go towards the hybrid model, where India will play its matches outside Pakistan.

The final schedule for the tournament is likely to be announced by the end of this week. PCB was earlier hesitant towards the hybrid model but has reportedly accepted it now. India is likely to play its matches in Dubai. Even if India reaches the semi-finals and the final, they will continue to play in Dubai.

How did Pakistan accept the hybrid model?

While Pakistan has almost accepted the hybrid model despite denying it earlier, Mohsin Naqvi wants a fusion model. According to it, Pakistan will also not travel to India for the future ICC events scheduled in the country.

The Men in Green also wants to play its matches in a hybrid model just like India in the upcoming Champions Trophy. According to the reports, the BCCI has accepted PCB's model but are still reluctant to allow Pakistan to play in another country in case they qualify for the playoffs.

ICC events to be hosted by India in the current cycle

Among the ICC events, India are scheduled to host the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 2029 Champions Trophy, and the 2031 ODI World Cup as well. Besides hosting these events, India will also host the Asia Cup in 2025 and the Women's ODI World Cup in the same year.

The Champions Trophy 2025 will be played between eight teams which are divided into four teams of two groups each. The top two teams from each group will advance into the semi-finals. India have been placed with Bangladesh, New Zealand, and hosts Pakistan.

India have not traveled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup when they finished runners-up in the tournament. The political relations between the two nations have worsened since. Pakistan last traveled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023 where they failed to make it past the first stage.