Dubai, December 6, 2024: In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly agreed to a hybrid model for hosting global tournaments in Pakistan and India until 2027. This breakthrough comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two cricketing nations over hosting rights.
A renowned cricket website ESPN Cricinfo reported on Friday that under the hybrid model, Pakistan and India will play their matches at neutral venues during ICC tournaments hosted by the other country. The agreement was finalized following discussions in Dubai between ICC Chairperson Jay Shah and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The ICC has scheduled three major global events in Pakistan and India from 2024 to 2027 including Champions Trophy in Pakistan (February-March 2025), Women’s ODI World Cup in India (2025) and Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka (2026).
This development follows PCB’s proposal of a “Partnership or Fusion Formula” aimed at resolving the deadlock over the Champions Trophy 2025. According to this formula, both nations will play their matches at neutral venues during ICC tournaments over the next three years, avoiding cross-border travel.
The agreement marks a compromise after earlier disagreements. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had previously proposed holding India’s matches in Dubai for the Champions Trophy 2025 instead of traveling to Pakistan, a suggestion categorically rejected by the PCB, which insisted on hosting the tournament entirely on its home soil.
While sources confirm that a Board meeting to finalize details of the Champions Trophy is set for December 7, the ICC is expected to make a formal announcement after further consultation with the BCCI. The hybrid model is seen as a practical solution to ensure the smooth conduct of ICC events amidst ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
