International Cricket Council (ICC) has approve a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with matches to be host in Pakistan and Dubai following an agreement between the PCB and BCCI.
Also, both boards have reach a consensus on the 2026 T20 World Cup, deciding that Pakistan will not travel to India for the league-stage clash against India, which will instead be held in Colombo.
As the PCB will not receive any financial compensation for this arrangement, they have secure hosting rights for an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027.
This agreement has well-receive by all stakeholders, ensuring smooth planning for these marquee events while addressing logistical and geopolitical concerns.
- ICC approves Champions Trophy in hybrid model after agreement with PCB and BCCI
- Matches to be play across three venues in Pakistan, India games in Dubai
- BCCI and PCB agree in principle that Pakistan will not travel to India for the India-Pakistan match in 2026 T20 World Cup. The match will be play in Sri Lanka, who are the co-hosts.
- No compensation for PCB for missing the opportunity to host India matches.
- In return, PCB will get to host an ICC women’s tournament after 2027.
- All 3 stack holders, ICC, BCCI and PCB are happy with the development
- As per reports, the ICC was struggling to meet its contractual obligations to stakeholders, particularly in adhering to deadlines. Broadcasters are reportedly under pressure to effectively market the event, especially since the 90-day deadline has already pass. This delay has led to speculation that some stakeholders might renew calls to switch the Champions Trophy to a T20 format, which is quicker and easier to market compare to ODIs, consider by many to be losing relevance.
Ex-Pakistan Star Warns PCB Against Accepting Deal On Champions Trophy
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has raise concerns over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) potential acceptance to a report compromise deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC), calling it a “lollipop” that would ultimately harm Pakistan cricket.
Basit Ali’s remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about hosting rights and financial compensation tied to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The ICC and PCB have reportedly agreed on a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai instead of Pakistan.
This decision, driven by political tensions, has spark debates over revenue loss for the PCB, as the marquee India-Pakistan clash, a major revenue generator, will not take place on Pakistani soil.
As part of the compromise, Pakistan will also not travel to India for their league-stage match in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The game will be play in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
It is to be note that India and Sri Lanka are the joint hosts for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In exchange, the ICC has promise Pakistan hosting rights for the Women’s World Cup after 2027.
Basit Ali criticised the PCB for accepting this deal, stating it offer no substantial benefit to Pakistan cricket.
He urge the board to push for hosting the men’s Asia Cup instead, emphasising the economic and cricketing significance of hosting high-profile men’s tournaments.
Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel :
“Now it is being said that in 2027 or 2028, a women’s World Cup will be given to Pakistan. Everybody will say, ‘waah ji waah! This is great, not one but two ICC events (in Pakistan)!’ But what’s the point of events like these? It’s being done so that in 2026, the Pakistan team will travel to India and the Indian women’s team will then come to Pakistan. The broadcasters won’t suffer any losses,”.
“Do you know what a lollipop is? This is a lollipop the ICC is giving to the PCB…that if you agree to this, don’t ask for anything in writing and we will give you another ICC event. This won’t be of any benefit (to Pakistan). They should rather bid for the Asia Cup, which is next year. The PCB should ask for this. The PCB won’t benefit by hosting the Women’s World Cup or U-19 World Cup. If the PCB accepts this lollipop, they’ll be the losers.”
Basit Ali also highlight how this arrangement can set a precedent for further compromises in the future, such as the Pakistan men’s team travelling to India and vice versa for tournaments, ensuring broadcasters do not face revenue losses.
