Trophy ended on Thursday after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the eight-team tournament, originally hosted by Pakistan, would be held in a hybrid model. The ICC, in a statement, said that all matches, except those which feature India, will take place in Pakistan1. This development comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had said in November that India won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to security concerns.
SOURCE : ZEE
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were initially hesitant on accepting the hybrid model, but later agreed to do so on certain conditions, which included the ICC implementing the same hybrid model for global tournaments held in India till 2027. This means Pakistan won’t travel to India for ICC tournaments till 20271.
Source:- news 18
Reactions to hybrid model for 2025 Champions Trophy
Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad expressed his disappointment, saying that Pakistan lost a “golden chance” to host India. “Pakistan had a golden chance to host India1. All cricket boards had signed the agreement in 2021 that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy. ICC cannot back off1. PCB has missed the chance I think. We should forget that the Indian team will ever come to Pakistan now1. Just forget it. The only way you could have brought India here was by an ICC event,” Shehzad said on the Nadir Ali podcast1.
Wasim Akram, former Pakistan skipper, said that while the hybrid model is the “best solution,” the fans in Pakistan are who will miss out on witnessing the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play. “Like millions of Pakistan fans, I would have wanted the whole tournament to be played in Pakistan, and India touring our country1. But if this is the solution then it’s the best one,” Akram told news agency AFP. “It’s not a win for any country but I am saddened that this is a loss for millions of Gen Z Pakistani fans who wanted to see (Virat) Kohli, Rohit (Sharma), (Rishabh) Pant, (Jasprit) Bumrah playing in their country1.”
Former pacer Mohammad Amir welcomed the decision to conduct the India vs Pakistan match in a neutral venue, saying that the fans would find a way even if these two teams “clash on the moon.” “As a cricketer, I welcome the announcement of the India vs Pakistan showdown at the Champions Trophy 2025 in a neutral venue. The essence of this contest transcends the venue — fans will be there, no matter what,” Amir told Cricket Predicta founder Sunil Yash Kalra1.
Now that the dilemma over the hybrid model has been solved, the ICC will officially announce the schedule of the Champions Trophy anytime soon. According to a report in news agency PTI, India will likely play their Champions Trophy matches in UAE1.
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