The 2025 Champions Cup will be organized under a hybrid model, ESPNCricinfo Reported on Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) finally resolved the deadlock surrounding the tournament.
Pakistan and India have reportedly reached an agreement on the format of the tournament. As per the agreed hybrid model, India’s matches will be played at a neutral venue. Likewise, Pakistan’s matches in the ICC World Cup events hosted by India will also be held at a neutral venue.
ESPNcricinfo It said it had seen a resolution detailing the agreement, which is expected to be subject to a vote by the ICC Board, whereby during the 2024-2027 event cycle, all matches involving India will be played in an event hosted by Pakistan at a neutral venue. In contrast, all matches involving Pakistan will be played in an event hosted by India at a neutral venue.
This agreement applies to the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The neutral venue will be proposed by the tournament’s governing body and will need ICC approval.
The Champions Cup is scheduled to start on February 19 next year, but the fixture has not yet been finalized due to uncertainty over venues. Four years later, Pakistan will host an ICC event.
On the other hand, the ICC also said that it has no objection to organizing a tri-T20I tournament involving India, Pakistan and another full-fledged Asian country (or an associate Asian country is included to make it a quadrangle) as well, subject to such tournaments being held at a neutral venue.
The idea of such a tri-series arose as compensation for Pakistan losing out on hosting India’s matches in the Champions Trophy next year.
Meanwhile, according to the cricket website, the ICC has also granted Pakistan the right to host the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be the first ICC event in the upcoming session. The website said the merger formula could apply to the Women’s T20 World Cup as well.
“Let’s see what happens”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that all the details regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will come to the fore soon.
“We don’t do anything without it being in writing. If anyone tries to deceive, we will deal with them. How can they deceive (others)?” Naqvi told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“Just a little patience, everything will come to light,” the PCB chief said.
When a journalist asked him if Pakistan got the bid to host the Women’s T20 World Cup, he replied: “Let’s see what happens. Things will become clear very soon.”
Regarding the Champions Cup, he stated that the final decision has not been made yet. He added that whatever happens when it comes to the Champions Trophy, it will be in Pakistan’s favour.
An announcement regarding the Champions Trophy could be made anytime today, the PCB chief told reporters.