Pakistan and India Agree on Hybrid Model Amid Champions Trophy Tensions

Grassroots Cricket|

Pakistan and India have agreed on a hybrid model to address issues surrounding the Champions Trophy, stemming from political tensions between the two nations.

As reported by ESPNCrincinfo, under the proposed agreement, matches involving India in ICC events hosted by Pakistan will be played at a neutral venue. Similarly, matches featuring Pakistan in ICC events hosted by India will also be shifted to a neutral location. This arrangement has been designed to accommodate the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The hybrid model will first come into play during the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan. All games involving India will be held outside Pakistan at a neutral venue yet to be determined. Similarly, for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, Pakistan’s matches will take place at a neutral location. The same arrangement will apply to the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and potentially to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, which Pakistan is set to host as part of the next ICC events cycle.

The decision is expected to set a precedent for how the ICC manages its tournaments in politically sensitive regions. The Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first major ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup.