IMAGE: The 2025 Champions Trophy is poised to unfold under a ‘Hybrid Model’, primarily due to the Indian government’s reluctance to permit its cricket team to travel to Pakistan. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters
In a notable shift from its previously firm stance, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is prepared to adjust the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with all matches featuring India potentially relocated to the UAE, according to informed sources.
This adjustment indicates that the tournament could indeed be conducted in the ‘Hybrid Model’, as the Indian government is expected to remain steadfast in its decision against allowing its players to cross the border into Pakistan.
The last major tournament hosted by Pakistan was the 2023 Asia Cup, which was also held in a ‘Hybrid Model’, necessitating that India play its matches in Sri Lanka due to the government’s refusal to sanction travel to Pakistan.
“The PCB believes that if the Indian government does not approve the tour to Pakistan, minor adjustments can still be made to the schedule. It is likely that India would play its matches in Dubai or Sharjah,” a PCB source disclosed to PTI.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot compel any cricket board to contravene its governmental policies, which raises questions about when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will ultimately make its decision. By the time this decision is anticipated, the ICC will be under the chairmanship of India’s Jay Shah.
Meanwhile, the PCB is urging the ICC to unveil the tournament schedule by next week, coinciding with the upcoming visit of several senior ICC officials to Lahore.
“The PCB has engaged in discussions with the ICC regarding the tentative schedule they proposed months ago and aims to have the same schedule officially announced on November 11,” the PCB source stated.
“They have conveyed to the ICC that a backup plan is already in place with a revised budget, thus there is little reason to delay the release of the tentative match schedule.”
The PCB has also appealed to the ICC to press the BCCI for a definitive answer regarding whether they will send their team to Pakistan for the forthcoming February-March event next year.
“The PCB is requesting the BCCI to confirm in writing whether they receive permission from their government to send their team to Pakistan,” the source explained.
According to the PCB’s proposed tentative schedule, the eagerly anticipated match between traditional rivals India and Pakistan is set for Lahore on March 1 next year, adding to the tournament’s overall excitement.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan clashing against New Zealand in Karachi. The grand finale is planned for March 9 at the esteemed Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
All of India’s matches have been strategically slated for Lahore to ensure security and facilitate logistical considerations, highlighting the PCB’s commitment to creating a safe environment for all teams.
In a bid to enhance facilities, the PCB is investing nearly 13 billion rupees to upgrade stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, where Champions Trophy matches will be contested, thus elevating the overall experience for players and fans alike.
Champions Trophy 2025 schedule
**Interview with Cricket Analyst, Ravi Sharma, on the 2025 Champions Trophy Hybrid Model**
**Host:** Thank you for joining us, Ravi. The news about the 2025 Champions Trophy adopting a ‘Hybrid Model’ has stirred quite a bit of conversation. What’s your take on this development?
**Ravi Sharma:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s a significant shift. The ‘Hybrid Model’ is becoming a necessary compromise, especially considering the political climate between India and Pakistan. The fact that all of India’s matches may shift to the UAE speaks volumes about ongoing constraints on cross-border sports relations.
**Host:** Indeed. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to be willing to make schedule adjustments. How critical do you think these changes are for the tournament’s success?
**Ravi Sharma:** Very critical. The PCB recognizes the importance of having India participate for the tournament’s visibility and financial success. By relocating matches to neutral venues like Dubai or Sharjah, they not only keep India in the competition but also ensure fans can enjoy these matches in a more accessible location.
**Host:** You mentioned the significance of India’s participation. How does the ‘Hybrid Model’ impact the fans and the overall atmosphere of the tournament?
**Ravi Sharma:** It certainly dilutes the atmosphere a bit when you can’t have matches hosted in the home countries, especially for high-stakes games like India vs. Pakistan. However, UAE has become a familiar backdrop for these encounters, and the cricketing atmosphere there is vibrant, with fans from both nations usually packing the stands.
**Host:** The International Cricket Council (ICC) plays a role in this as well. With Jay Shah set to take over, what implications do you see for the BCCI’s decision?
**Ravi Sharma:** Jay Shah’s leadership could shape how negotiations unfold. He has been vocal about his stance on security and governmental policies, so he might push for a solution that favors Indian participation while respecting the board’s protocols. It’s a delicate balance.
**Host:** It is indeed. As we approach the ICC’s announcement of the tournament structure, what’s your prediction for how this will all unfold?
**Ravi Sharma:** I anticipate continued dialogue between the PCB and the BCCI. If no agreement is reached, I suspect we’ll see a firm ‘Hybrid Model’ in place, with matches in UAE. Ultimately, it will heavily depend on the political landscape as we approach 2025.
**Host:** Thank you, Ravi, for your insights on this evolving situation. It’s certainly one to watch as we get closer to the tournament.
**Ravi Sharma:** Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds.
