Champions Trophy : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reached a landmark agreement to implement a hybrid model for hosting ICC tournaments between 2024 and 2027, including the 2025 Champions Trophy. The decision resolves months of uncertainty stemming from political and security concerns between India and Pakistan. This hybrid arrangement ensures that matches involving these two cricketing giants during ICC events will now take place at neutral venues, a move designed to accommodate the tense relations between the two nations.
Table of Contents
Champions Trophy : ICC Approves Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy and Upcoming ICC Events (2024 – 2027)
What Does the Hybrid Model Entail?
Under this model, India and Pakistan will not play each other in each other’s home countries during ICC events between 2024 and 2027. Instead:
- India’s Matches in Pakistan: Scheduled games will be shifted to a neutral venue.
- Pakistan’s Matches in India: Similarly, these games will also be moved to a neutral venue.
- Neutral Venue for Knockout Games: The rule extends to knockout matches, including semifinals and finals, involving either team.
This arrangement kicks off with the 2025 Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan and will also apply to the following tournaments:
- 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup (hosted by India).
- 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup (co hosted by India and Sri Lanka).
- Potentially, the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, awarded to Pakistan as part of the next ICC cycle.
The Hybrid Model in Action: The Champions Trophy 2025
The 2025 Champions Trophy, an eight team tournament featuring nations like India, Pakistan, Australia, and England, will mark the first implementation of the hybrid model.
- Matches involving India, including potential semifinals and finals, will not take place in Pakistan but will instead be hosted at neutral venues like the UAE or Sri Lanka.
- PCB’s Hosting Rights Intact: Despite the hybrid arrangement, Pakistan retains full hosting rights for the tournament.
The PCB has already been tasked with proposing neutral venues to the ICC for approval, with the UAE emerging as the frontrunner, followed by Sri Lanka.
A Compromise Amid Political and Security Concerns
The hybrid model stems from India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and strained political ties. Similarly, Pakistan had initially resisted agreeing to the model for fear of undermining its sovereignty as a host nation.
However, the ICC’s decision brings relief to both sides, ensuring tournaments remain on schedule while respecting the complexities of Indo-Pak relations. The agreement required backing from the highest levels of both governments, with key figures like Jay Shah, now ICC chairman and son of India’s Home Minister, and Mohsin Naqvi, PCB chair and Pakistan’s interior minister, playing pivotal roles in the negotiations.
Hybrid Model Extends to Women’s ICC Events
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India and the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup in Pakistan will also see hybrid arrangements. While hybrid formats are costlier, the ICC resolution makes it clear that India-Pakistan matches will not occur in the host countries, even for women’s cricket.
With the ICC investing heavily in broadcasting deals, including Star Sports’ $750 million contract, hybrid arrangements ensure marquee matches like India vs. Pakistan remain globally accessible.
Implications for the Cricket World
The hybrid model has sparked mixed reactions:
- Relief for Fans Worldwide: India-Pakistan matches, the most anticipated fixtures in cricket, will still occur on neutral grounds, allowing global audiences to enjoy the spectacle.
- Loss for Local Fans: Pakistani cricket fans will miss seeing Indian stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah play live on their home turf. Similarly, Indian fans won’t witness Pakistan’s best talent competing in their stadiums.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram shared his disappointment:
“This is a loss for millions of Gen Z Pakistani fans who wanted to see Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah playing in their country. But if this is the solution, it’s the best one.”
Looking Back: The Asia Cup Precedent
The hybrid model has already been tested successfully during the 2023 Asia Cup, where Pakistan hosted the event but India’s matches and the final were held in Sri Lanka. This approach balanced hosting rights with logistical and security concerns, setting the stage for its adoption in ICC events.
The ICC’s hybrid model reflects the complex intersection of politics and sports in Indo-Pak relations. While it ensures continuity in the ICC’s global cricket calendar, it also emphasizes the need for creative solutions to navigate diplomatic challenges.
As the 2024 – 2027 ICC events cycle unfolds, the hybrid arrangement may serve as a blueprint for managing future disputes between cricketing nations, ensuring fans around the world never miss out on cricket’s most iconic rivalry.
FAQs
What is the hybrid model in cricket?
The hybrid model allows matches involving India and Pakistan during ICC events to be played at neutral venues instead of the host nation
Why was the hybrid model introduced?
The model was introduced due to political and security concerns, with India refusing to travel to Pakistan and vice versa
