The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly rejected the hybrid model for hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan will host the tournament exclusively in February and March 2025. However, India’s participation remains uncertain due to the BCCI’s strict travel policies, prompting discussions of a hybrid hosting arrangement similar to the 2023 Asia Cup.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering stance, emphasizing that the country will remain the sole host for the eight-team event. Speaking to the media in Lahore, Naqvi expressed the PCB’s resolve to “safeguard Pakistan’s interests,” even if ICC members support a hybrid hosting model during the upcoming ICC meeting.
Naqvi also warned that Pakistan might reconsider its participation in future tournaments held in India if the BCCI continues to refuse travel to Pakistan. He termed this approach as an “unacceptable imbalance.” India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, although Pakistan has sent teams to India for events like the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Pakistan initially planned to host the 2023 Asia Cup entirely, but co-hosted it with Sri Lanka after India refused to travel. Similarly, the PCB is now urging the ICC to devise an alternative plan for the Champions Trophy, instead of adopting a hybrid arrangement.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place across three venues in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. If India withdraws from the event, Sri Lanka will replace them as one of the eight participating teams.
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