New reports are emerging every hour regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy. One common point in all of them is that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for this tournament. Team India wants the Champions Trophy to be conducted in a hybrid model, with all their matches being held in Dubai. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not ready for this arrangement and has the support of the Pakistani government. Here are the options currently available to the PCB and the ICC.
According to Cricbuzz, a debate on a Pakistani TV channel discussed the 2025 Champions Trophy, where one panelist argued that Sri Lanka should replace India, allowing the entire tournament to be hosted in Pakistan. Another panelist countered, stating that you cannot exclude a player who has the bat and ball in their hands. In other words, you cannot exclude India, as world cricket heavily depends on them, and the current broadcaster of ICC events is also Indian.
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After 1996, Pakistan has a chance to host an ICC event, but it seems that even after nearly 30 years, this event might not be held in Pakistan. The Indian team is not willing to travel to Pakistan, and the PCB is unwilling to host the tournament under the hybrid model. So, here is a look at the options before the ICC and PCB:
- The PCB could agree to host the Champions Trophy under a hybrid model, with five out of the 15 matches played in the UAE.
- The Champions Trophy could be shifted out of Pakistan, resulting in the PCB being stripped of hosting rights or voluntarily withdrawing.
- The Champions Trophy could be postponed indefinitely.
- The tournament could be held without Team India.