Dec 15 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in a hybrid model after India refused to travel to Pakistan. This decision has reportedly caused unrest within the PCB, with several members expressing dissatisfaction over the arrangement.
Under the hybrid model approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC), India will play their matches in Dubai, while Pakistan will host the remainder of the tournament on its soil. As compensation for this compromise, Pakistan has been granted the right to play their matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo. Additionally, Pakistan has been awarded hosting rights for an ICC women’s cricket tournament scheduled after 2027.
However, this agreement has sparked internal disagreements within the PCB. Sources indicate that some members believe the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, succumbed to ICC pressure and failed to secure adequate compensation for Pakistan.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif voiced his concerns, stating that the allotment of a women’s cricket tournament after 2027 was an insufficient trade-off for the hybrid hosting arrangement. He criticized the decision as lacking foresight and failing to serve Pakistan’s cricketing interests.
The ICC’s decision comes amidst long-standing political and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, which have frequently disrupted bilateral cricketing ties. Despite the compromise, discontent within the PCB highlights ongoing challenges in navigating such arrangements.
The 2025 Champions Trophy marks a critical moment for Pakistan, as it attempts to balance hosting international cricket while managing diplomatic complexities and internal opposition.
