Pakistan rejects rumours of agreeing to Champions Trophy hybrid model: Sources

Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Cricket Board sources rubbished reports that claimed it had agreed to host the 50-over marquee tournament in a hybrid model with India matches in the UAE. The International Cricket Council is all set to announce the schedule for the Champions Trophy in the second week of November.

In Short

• Pakistan have the hosting rights for Champions Trophy 2025
• Media reports claimed that India's matches will be held in the UAE
• India are highly unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy

The Pakistan Cricket Board has rubbished media reports that claimed it agreed to host the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model that would allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue. PCB stressed that it has not spoken about the hybrid model even as there is uncertainty around India travelling across the border for the 50-over showpiece event, scheduled to be held in February-March 2025.

A PCB source told India Today on Friday, November 8 that Pakistan have not considered a hybrid model and is keen on hosting the entire tournament across three venues -- Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The clarification comes at a time when speculation is rife that the International Cricket Council will announce the Champions Trophy schedule on November 11. Reports claimed that the ICC would announce the schedule without confirming the venues for the eight-team tournament.

An ICC delegation is set to visit Pakistan to take stock of the preparations next week.

"The hybrid model is not under consideration. It is documented that its position has not changed. People file stories claiming sources X Y Z. People file anything just to get some views. As of now, we haven't decided anything as far as the Champions Trophy. Our stand is as it is," a PCB source said.

Notably, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup 2023 in a hybrid model through which India played their games in Sri Lanka. The final was also played in Sri Lanka.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) hasn't conveyed its stand on the senior national men's team travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The BCCI will be in touch with the Indian government for the same.

India Today reported earlier that it's highly unlikely that India would travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and a final call will only be taken by the Indian government.

India haven't played cricket in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 while bilateral cricket between the two teams have ceased to exist after the 2012-13 season. India and Pakistan, however, have faced each other in ICC and Asian Cricket Council tournaments.

According to the tentative schedule proposed by the PCB, the marquee Champions Trophy match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is slated in Lahore on March 1 next year. The tournament is slated to begin on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The final is scheduled on March 9 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan has allocated close to 17 billion rupees for upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi ahead of next year's tournament.