In the latest development for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written a strong letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) reaffirming their claim to host the whole tournament and not committing to the hybrid model.
Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC about their refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After receiving BCCI’s response from the ICC, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi decided to take the matter with the Pakistan government.
The Government of Pakistan asked the board to not commit to the hybrid model and to start boycotting matches to be played in India in further ICC events. Since India is set to host a no. of ICC events in the ongoing cycle till 2031, it can be a huge financial loss for the ICC.
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PCB writes strongly to the ICC about the Pakistan government’s stance on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
According to Samaa TV, the PCB has strongly written to the ICC after discussing the matter with their government. The PCB has informed the ICC about the decision of their country’s government and is still committed to hosting the whole tournament.
Breaking News about Champions Trophy
PCB wrote strong letter to ICC as per the directions of Pak Government… 💪🇵🇰❤️😍#NoHybridModel #CTOnlyInPak #BePakistani #PakistanCricket #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/YbaZ0Tm1fu
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) November 12, 2024
It means that the PCB and the Pakistan government are not ready to accept the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. While Pakistan was given the hosting rights for the tournament, India’s participation was always a question given their reluctance to travel to Pakistan over the years.
Assuming India’s stance, the ICC had already started preparing for a hybrid model. UAE was seen as the frontrunner to host India’s matches as part of the hybrid model. However, the host country Pakistan is not ready to accept it.
A total of three ICC tournaments are scheduled to be hosted in India in the next cycle. The Pakistan government has directed its team not to participate in any of those tournament if India does not come to play in the Champions Trophy next year.
ICC faces a big problem
The ICC is now in a big problem because of the firm stance of the respective governments of two of its leading Full Members. Both India and Pakistan form a big part of ICC’s revenue every year and matches between these two teams bring record audiences and a huge amount of revenue.
If Pakistan denies to participate in ICC events inside India. the ICC can face financial losses which will affect its revenue sharing system as well. It remains to be seen how the ICC handles this tough situation and manages all the things from here on.
With just under 100 days remaining for the start of the tournament, the ICC needs to find a quick solution in order to bring both India and Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year.
Strained relations between India and Pakistan
India and Pakistan have shared strained political relations with each other over the past few years. India last travelled to Pakistan in 2008 for Asia Cup while Pakistan last travelled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023.
The last bilateral series between these two nations was played in 2013 when Pakistan toured India for two T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series was level 1-1 while Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1.
