ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB breaks silence on Hybrid Model reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently responded to the claims of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be hosted in a hybrid model. The PCB has denied all such rumors and has affirmed that all the matches will be played within Pakistan.

Earlier, some Indian media reports had claimed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would be held in a hybrid model to accommodate India into the tournament. This is because India's chances to travel to Pakistan are low right now.

The reports had suggested the UAE as an alternate option to host India's matches and act as a hybrid model for the tournament. UAE's world-class cricket grounds in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are good enough to host cricket matches and have the experience of hosting matches of this magnitude before.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan bow down as UAE set to host India’s matches

PCB denies the possibility of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be hosted in a 'Hybrid Model'

The sources in the PCB have clearly dismissed the rumors of a hybrid model and have clearly stated that all the matches will be held on Pakistani soil. "No consideration is being given to any hybrid model," a PCB source was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

While all the teams have confirmed their participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to confirm India's travel to Pakistan.

India have not traveled to Pakistan for any cricket tour since the 2008 Asia Cup because of the strained political relations between the two countries. On the other hand, Pakistan last traveled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023.

The Asia Cup 2023 was also slated to be hosted entirely in Pakistan last year. But India's denial to travel to Pakistan forced the PCB to allow the tournament to be hosted in a hybrid model.

Najam Sethi was the board's chief back then. Sri Lanka was chosen as an alternate venue to host the tournament. The island nation hosted all of India's matches, including the final, which India went on to win.

Upgradation in Pakistan's stadiums

The PCB is currently working on the upgrade of the venues for the Champions Trophy to meet international standards. All three stadiums to host the tournament - Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi - are undergoing some serious upgrades at the moment.

A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be in Lahore from November 10-12 for the assessment of the preparations for the tournament. The delegation will take a look at the upgrade work in various stadiums to host the tournament.

An official event will be hosted on November 11 during which the dates and important details regarding the Champions Trophy 2025 will be made official. According to the sources, the schedule has already been shared with the member nations.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9. Lahore is scheduled to host the most no. of matches, including India's matches and the final. The opening match and one semi-final are scheduled to be hosted in the National Stadium, Karachi.

India has been kept in Group A with Bangladesh, New Zealand, and hosts Pakistan. On the other hand, Group B consists of England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan.