ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Chief advocates Hybrid Model after India vs Pakistan deadlock

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has made a controversial claim regarding the board's decision for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Najam Sethi said that the Pakistan Cricket Board should reconsider their decision to withdraw from the highly anticipated ICC tournament.

Pakistan has the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, there is uncertainty looming over the tournament as India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made its stance clear, which puts the International Cricket Council in a difficult position for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly contacted the International Cricket Council for a clarification on for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 future. They rejected the hybrid model, which would allow India to play its matches at a neutral venue.

The PCB also threatened to boycott the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 if all the matches were not scheduled to be played in Pakistan.

ICC Will Always Side WIth India - Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi said the Pakistan Cricket Board should avoid making decisions based on emotions regarding the Champions Trophy. He emphasized that the ICC always supports India. Sethi said that Pakistan would suffer financially if the tournament is moved to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka or Dubai.

"I will tell you one thing. ICC will always side with India. Remember this," said Sethi talking to 'Samaa TV'.

"Now, if they move the tournament to Sri Lanka or Dubai, and Pakistan doesn't participate, then it will cost the ICC and also India & Pakistan because the ICC revenues are distributed in a portion. Major portion goes to India and the fourth portion goes to Pakistan."

"It doesn't bother India much. They (BCCI) are very rich. But it matters a lot for Pakistan if their revenues drop. That will be another issue for Pakistan."

Najam Sethi advice to adopt Hybrid Model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Najam Sethi said that they had to host the Asia Cup last year in a hybrid model after India refused to visit. He said that the PCB had to compromise, or else they could be excluded from future ICC events.

Sethi warned that emotional decisions could hurt Pakistan's cricketing future and advised the PCB to think strategically rather than emotionally when handling such issues.

"Will they (PCB) take this issue to a logical end? And what is a logical end to this?" Sethi continued.

"It means if you have rejected a hybrid model after India refused to come and also rejected playing in another country, then you won't play in the future ICC events also. So you are basically going to push yourself out of the ICC. And if you do that, then what will remain besides bilateral cricket? You don't make much money in bilateral cricket because it is reciprocal," he added.

Pakistan Hosted Asia Cup 2023 in a Hybrid Model

Sethi was the PCB chairman when the Asia Cup 2023 was played in a hybrid model despite being designated hosts of the tournament. India played all their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka while the rest of the event took place in Pakistan. However, Pakistan later visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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