Holding the 2025 Champions Trophy in a hybrid model is “a possibility”, an ICC insider has informed. Pakistan are the host of the tournament, which is scheduled to be played in February-March next year. But India’s reported reluctance to travel across the border might force a change.
“We haven’t had the conversation yet (regarding the Champions Trophy). But it’s (hybrid model) a possibility if you look back at history,” an ICC functionary told RevSportz on condition of anonymity.
The Champions Trophy is expected to be a topic of discussion at the ICC Annual Conference in Colombo from July 18 to 22. It is also expected the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would express strong reservations over holding the tournament in any other country apart from Pakistan. But according to the ICC insider, a hybrid model could be the only option if the BCCI doesn’t get the go-ahead from the Indian government to send the team to Pakistan.
The 2023 Asia Cup was played in a hybrid model across Pakistan and Sri Lanka despite the PCB being the tournament host. The Champions Trophy, too, might follow a similar path, with India playing their matches either in the United Arab Emirates or in Sri Lanka. The tentative PCB schedule has allotted India’s games in Lahore, but it is yet to receive the ICC’s approval.
Pakistan toured India in 2012-13 for a short series and bilateral cricket between the two countries stopped after that due to political reasons. And although Pakistan came to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup last year, it is unlikely that India would go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. “At the end of the day, it’s the government’s decision,” said a source.
A section in Pakistan cricket feels that if the BCCI refuses to send the team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the PCB should respond by boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup that is set to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. But that would be too drastic. Such a rumour was floated before the last year’s Asia Cup as well, that the PCB would boycott the 2023 World Cup in India. But they did turn up for the tournament.
Meanwhile, ahead of the Annual Conference, there are some high-profile resignations in the ICC, with the global body’s head of events, Chris Tetley, and general manager – marketing and communications, Claire Furlong, leaving the organisation. But according to the functionary, not much should be read into that.
As for Furlong’s departure, it is learnt that she had “agreed with” ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice last year that circa 2024 would be her last. She would be staying until the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October to ensure a “smooth handover”.