According to an article published in Cricbuzz, the ICC could propose a hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy 2025. The “burning topic in the cricket world” is going to be one of the main agendas of the upcoming meeting of the board of directors, which is scheduled to be held on 29 November.
So far, India and Pakistan are firmly standing on their stances of “not traveling to Pakistan” and “hosting the entire event in Pakistan,” respectively. This created a deadlock situation in the cricket world as the mega event is approaching, and two of the biggest cricket boards’ stubbornness holds the future of tournament in jeopardy.
India repeatedly refuses to play in Pakistan due to security concerns and demands a hybrid model like the 2023 Asia Cup to play its matches outside Pakistan.
On the other hand, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has continually said again and again in each official statement that a hybrid model for the upcoming 50-overs competition is unacceptable; nonetheless, it appears that the ICC may have limited options. While holding discussions, a hybrid concept with ten games in Pakistan and five in another country, including one semifinal and final, is expected to be offered.
To win both cricket boards and take them on the same page for smooth operations of the upcoming event, the ICC may propose a “semi-hybrid model.” In short, the ICC may reduce the impact of the hybrid model by agreeing to host one semifinal and one final in Pakistan if India fails to qualify for the semifinal and final.
While such an agreement would present significant organizational and logistical obstacles, given the unprecedented circumstances, the PCB may be granted this dispensation. The venues for one semifinal and the final will be pre-booked with the necessary hotel and transport arrangements.
Despite India and Pakistan’s agreement on the proposed terms of the ICC, they have to tackle other problems also to host the Champions Trophy 2025 in the hybrid model. Because at this point, the ICC is uncertain about where to host the India matches.
Though the UAE, with stadiums in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is a viable and practical alternative venue, South Africa remains a strong contender too, because of the ideal weather conditions and time-zone closeness to India. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) are expected to be approached for talks soon, if not already.
As per the Cricbuzz article, it is unlikely that the PCB will quickly accept the ICC’s anticipated decision to adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy(CT). However, with the idea supported by an overwhelming majority of the ICC board—maybe through a vote among the 14 board members—the PCB may have no choice but to agree. If the ICC board rejects the hybrid approach, it may consider shifting the entire tournament away from Pakistan.
If the matter turns out this way, there is a possibility that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi will seek time to meet with the Pakistani government to consult what could be Pakistan’s next step.
The widespread belief is that the PCB and the Pakistani government will eventually accept the hybrid model because the Champions Trophy without India will be unattainable. But if Pakistan dares and the ICC supports it to host the event without India, it would be nothing but a sheer loss not only for the ICC and Pakistan but for the entire cricket ecosystem.
Since India is the biggest revenue generator for the ICC, if India doesn’t play in the Champions Trophy, in such a case the ICC may have to bear a million-dollar loss and will further dent the popularity of the mega event. This is not just for the ICC; the PCB may also lose millions of dollars or even come to bankruptcy if the tournament is shifted from the country, as the PCB gets more than 50% of its annual revenue from ICC’s funds.
In nutshell, Pakistan has just two options: either they accept the ICC’s proposal quickly after the board of directors meeting and get some time to prepare for hosting the event in a hybrid model and get their share from the generated revenue, or simply taste bankruptcy. Because ICC wouldn’t agree to host Champions Trophy without India at any cost, and if India plays, the tournament would be in a hybrid model or shifted to another country if Pakistan opted to be out from hosting it.
