The International Cricket Council has convinced the Pakistan Cricket Board and other cricket boards to adopt a hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy, sources said on Tuesday.
The ICC has also advised the PCB to refrain from making statements against the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
This comes as the ICC runs out of time to announce the Champions Trophy schedule. It is scheduled to be announced by November 20 (tomorrow), as the matches so far are planned to be held at three venues across Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.
Pakistan, the reigning champions after winning the last edition in England in 2017, is set to host the event from February 19 to March 9.
The longstanding political tensions between the two nations have prevented India from visiting Pakistan since 2008, with matches occurring only at multi-team events. Notably, during last year’s Asia Cup, India played all their games in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model.”
Last week, the ICC informed the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had officially communicated that India would not participate in the eight-nation tournament.
Sources added that the ICC has informed all cricket boards about the “significant financial losses” they would incur if India do not participate. The PCB has also been made aware of the financial repercussions of not hosting events in Pakistan.
ICC officials have maintained that adopting the hybrid model “is currently the best option” for the Champions Trophy.
The ICC is in discussions with various cricket boards to create a schedule for the hybrid model. The PCB has also been included in such consultations.
On Monday, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed that the Champions Trophy 2025 would take place in Pakistan, despite India’s refusal to send its team for the tournament.
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“We will achieve our target and God willing safely hold the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” he told reporters at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium regarding the situation.
When asked about any correspondence from the ICC regarding Pakistan’s stance of refusing to adopt a hybrid model, he said: “We wrote a letter and await a response. We only have interaction with ICC and are awaiting its response.”
He stated that it was about the council’s credibility and urged India to talk to them if there were any concerns.
