Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal expressed that Pakistan should consider accepting the hybrid model as it would be beneficial for cricket and advantageous for Pakistan. He emphasized that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already made its position clear, leaving the decision to Pakistan on whether to proceed with the proposed arrangement.
“BCCI has made its stance clear. Now it’s Pakistan’s decision whether to play under a hybrid model or not. Cricket should continue, and Pakistan would benefit from it in many ways,” Lal remarked.
The future of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been at the center of a heated debate as India and Pakistan remain at odds over hosting arrangements. While India has maintained its stance of not sending its men’s team to Pakistan due to “security concerns,” Pakistan has insisted on hosting the entire tournament. Recent reports, however, suggest progress has been made toward a resolution.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly reached an in-principle agreement to adopt a hybrid model for global tournaments hosted in Pakistan or India until 2027. This arrangement would allow both nations to play their games at a neutral venue when the tournament is hosted by the other country. While an official announcement is awaited, the development comes after discussions between ICC Chair Jay Shah and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai.
The impasse began when India expressed unwillingness to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns. Pakistan, in response, refused the idea of a hybrid model, insisting on hosting the entire tournament. The reported breakthrough in talks, facilitated by high-level meetings, indicates a possible compromise that could ensure the tournament proceeds as planned.
While sources have confirmed the hybrid model agreement to ESPNcricinfo, the PCB has refrained from making a public statement, noting only that discussions are still underway. A formal ICC Board meeting to finalize the Champions Trophy arrangements was scheduled but has since been postponed.