New Delhi: The ICC top brass is likely to finalise the hybrid model modalities for the Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday, it has been learnt.
It has been agreed in principle that neither India nor Pakistan will travel to each other’s country for ICC events. Hence, India and Pakistan will play in Dubai during the 2025 Champions Trophy which will be held from February 19 to March 9.
The tournament will feature eight teams, divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.
In addition to this, the report also mentioned that Pakistan won’t be traveling to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the league stage clash between the two countries will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, PCB won’t be receiving any financial compensation for the same but the country has secured the hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027.
As per the report, the Emirates Cricket Board was closely monitoring the talks between the two boards and added that the India vs Pakistan clash at the Champions Trophy being held in Dubai is almost certain.
The marquee tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9. It won’t be played in a round-robin format, instead eight teams will be divided in two groups. The top two from each group will advance to the semifinals.
A similar hybrid model was adopted during the men’s 50-over Asia Cup last year, when Pakistan hosted the tournament. India then played their matches in Colombo, including the semifinal and final.
No T20I format for Champions Trophy
There have been speculations of the Champions Trophy being played in a T20I format but it has been quashed as per the report. “Changing the format to T20I would be a significant setback,” India Today quoated a source as saying. “Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have retired from T20Is at the international level, would be unable to participate, which would greatly impact the tournament’s appeal,” the source added.
