ICC trying to convince PCB to host Champions Trophy in hybrid model: Reports

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying its hardest to convince the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model. The ICC is sending the message to PCB through back channels that hosting the 8-team event with the Indian cricket team isn’t feasible and that they must understand that the hybrid model is the best way to move forward. 

ICC urges PCB to stop giving statements about India

The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has already notified the ICC and the PCB that they won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Following this, the PCB wrote a letter to the ICC, and their chief, Mohsin Naqvi, even gave statements to the media. Naqvi had talked about ensuring Pakistan hosts the event and pushed the ICC to release the schedule for the tournament as soon as possible.

According to ANI, the ICC isn’t pleased with Pakistan making statements against India and has asked the PCB to stop doing so. The relations between the two boards aren’t great anyway, and this would further create a divide.

Champions Trophy schedule to be out soon

November 19 (today) was the date that the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy would be out. It was November 12, before that. But, due to India’s refusal to travel, the date has been shifted once again. It’s expected that by the end of the week, the schedule will be out.

For those who aren’t aware, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been virtually confirmed as the second host nation. That means India would play all of their matches in the UAE. The PCB naturally isn’t too pleased with the idea. They bowed down to BCCI last year when they agreed to host the Asia Cup 2023 along with Sri Lanka. PCB has already invested millions, and if the Champions Trophy 2025 isn’t hosted entirely in Pakistan, they’ll suffer financial losses, which the ICC will have to recover.