PCB offers conditional hybrid model for Champions Trophy: Reports

In yet another move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tried to keep the ICC Champions Trophy hosting rights with Pakistan. 

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that if India wants to play their matches at a location other than Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, then in future ICC events hosted by India, Pakistan would also not travel to India and play their matches at neutral venues. 

"If we adopt any other formula, it will be done based on equality. The most important thing for Pakistan is its respect; everything else is secondary,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. 

"A one-sided arrangement is no longer acceptable. It cannot be the case that we continue to go to India, but they do not visit Pakistan. Whatever happens, must be based on equality,” he added further. 

The ICC might meet on December 5, during which the future of the Champions Trophy could be discussed. This might also be the first board meeting of the ICC chaired by Jay Shah, who began his tenure as ICC chief on December 1. 

From 2025 to 2031, India will host the T20 World Cup (in 2026, jointly with Sri Lanka), the Women’s World Cup (2025), and the ODI World Cup (in 2031, jointly with Bangladesh). Additionally, they will host the 2025 T20 Asia Cup. 

Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC about its inability to visit Pakistan, the PCB sought the exact reason why the Indian team could not travel to Pakistan and has yet to receive a reply. 

However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India Spokesperson said, "The BCCI has issued a statement, so I would refer you to it. They have said there are security concerns there, and therefore, it is unlikely the team will be going there. Please refer to the statement issued by the BCCI."

With less than 80 days to go for the mega event, the schedule, and the ticketing process not being made public, the start of the Champions Trophy does not seem to be going in the right direction. 

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