No mention of 'hybrid model' from BCCI as ICC gives green light to Champions Trophy 2025 budget

The budget for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was approved during the Annual Conference of the International Cricket Council, which took place in Sri Lanka, Colombo on Monday (22nd July), as per reports in Cricket Pakistan.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to take place in Pakistan in February-March next year. For the past few months, the clouds have been hovering over the tournament, particularly related to the participation of the Indian team in the tournament scheduled to be played in Pakistan.

There were reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put forward the demand for the hybrid model. But in the latest development, it is learned that no nation including India spoke about the hybrid model even once during the Annual Conference of the International Cricket Council.

Pakistan, who was represented by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the ICC meeting reportedly since the last few weeks has been firm in its position that the entire event should be staged in Pakistan and they won't be taking the things to the hybrid model.

Even in the meeting, the Pakistan Cricket Board stood firm on their stance. They have designated three venues for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. According to the various reports, it is learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board has kept all the India games in Lahore so that there won't be any troubles related to traveling and logistics.

ICC approves Rs12.80 billion budget prepared by Pakistan Cricket Board for the Champions Trophy 2025

Apart from the development related to India, the International Cricket Council during the Annual Conference approved the budget for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The budget was reportedly prepared by ICC Chief Finance Officer Ankur Khanna and PCB Chief Finance Officer Javed Murtaza.

As per the reports, the International Cricket Council has approved Rs12.80 billion for the enhancement of the three stadiums Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, where the ICC Champions Trophy will be held.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to be played from February 19 to March 9, 2025. With BCCI not putting any demand related to the hybrid model in the tournament, there are high chance that they might travel to Pakistan for the same and take part in the tournament, which will be played for the first time since 2017.

India hasn't traveled to Pakistan since 2008. On the other hand, Men in Green visited India for the bilateral series in 2012–2013 and then for the T20 World Cup 2016 and most latest the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Two nations due to political tensions also don't play each other in bilateral series and are only up against each other in ICC events and Asia Cup. It remains to be seen if they will be traveling to Pakistan or not for the tournament.