ICC, PCB agree for hybrid model until 2027; India-Pakistan matches at neutral venues

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy will follow a hybrid model, with the Indian team set to play its matches at a neutral venue. 

The venue of the 2025 Champions Trophy has been a matter of plenty of debate as Pakistan was chosen to host the ICC event. However, the BCCI made its stance clear that the Indian team will not travel to the neighbouring nation due to security concerns. After plenty of back and forth, adopting a hybrid model emerged as the only solution. Notably, India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 while the bilateral cricketing ties are on pause since 2012 owing the strained political relations between the two nations.

"The neutral venue will be proposed by the tournament host board and will need to be approved by the ICC," as per an ESPNcricinfo report.

Meanwhile, the development clears ICC's path to unveil the much-awaited schedule of the tournament, which has been thoroughly delayed due to the ongoing uncertainty. The ICC has already missed meeting the contractual deadline of releasing the fixtures at least 90 days before the event. 

Also read: Reports: ICC to meet on December 5 as uncertainty over Champions Trophy 2025 continues

ICC confirms hybrid model for 2025 Champions Trophy

While Pakistan was initially reluctant to adopt a hybrid arrangement, India's resolute stance left the hosts with no other choice but to accept the model to ensure that the deadlock ended. However, the PCB has demanded a reciprocal arrangement for all ICC events (men's and women's) until the end of the ongoing FTP cycle of 2031. The ICC has accepted the condition for tournaments until the end of its commerical cycle in 2027. 

This means that all India-Pakistan games will be held at neutral venues in not just the 2025 Champions Trophy but also the 2025 women's ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 men's T20 World Cup set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The same arrangement will be in place for the first event of the next commercial cycle - the 2028 women's T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by Pakistan.

Additionally, the ICC has stated that it has no objection in organising a T20I tri-series with India, Pakistan and another Asian Full Member nation provided such an event is conducted at a neutral venue. The demand of a tri-series was raised by the PCB as compensation for missing out on hosting India's matches at the Champions Trophy.