The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially approved the hybrid model for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The matches will be played in both Pakistan and Dubai, as per the agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
This marks a significant change in the way major international cricket events are hosted, accommodating logistical and geopolitical challenges. But the agreement is not just limited to the Champions Trophy, but will also have an impact on future ICC events.
What does the hybrid model mean for the 2025 Champions Trophy?
The ICC the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in the hybrid format with most of the games taking place in Pakistan. The biggest highlight of this tournament is that all league-stage fixtures involving the Indian team will be shifted to Dubai including their much-awaited face-off with arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Geopolitical tensions and security concerns have long been factors influencing the venues for these games. A total of 10 matches will be held in Pakistan. However, the semi-finals and final of the tournament will be held in Dubai. If India gets knocked out of the group stage, the semi-finals and final will be held in Pakistan.
Here is All You Need to Know about the Upcoming ICC Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially approved the hybrid model for hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 after reaching an agreement with the BCCI and PCB, with matches to be played in Pakistan and Dubai. This means that all the matches of the Indian team in the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, including their most awaited encounter against Pakistan.
Interestingly as per the report the PCB, the host of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will host 10 matches of this tournament in three venues that are in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. Moreover, if India manages to reach there, the semi-finals and final of the tournament will be held in Dubai, but if that doesn’t happen, then these knockout matches will also be held Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Thos tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advanced to the semi-final stage of the tournament.
Both BCCI and PCB have agreed in principle for the T20 World Cup 2026 that Pakistan will not travel to India and the India vs Pakistan league game will be played in Colombo. Pakistan had previously toured India for the 2016 T20I World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.