India and Pakistan broke their standoff over the location of the next ICC Champions Trophy “with a hybrid model” on Thursday, according to a report from ESPNcricinfo.
Despite assurances from all member boards regarding the security arrangements and the tentative match schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing political and security concerns. This has led to a dispute surrounding the tournament, which is set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
In an attempt to end the current impasse between the two parties, BCCI representatives earlier this month rejected the PCB’s suggestion to adopt a “partnership formula” for the ensuing three years.
ESPNcricinfo claims that the idea would see India play their tournament matches in a neutral location. In response, a neutral location will host Pakistan’s matches that are planned to take place in India for ICC events through 2027.
“This agreement is applicable to the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2025 men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” the statement stated.
“The ICC must approve the neutral venue, which will be suggested by the tournament host board.”
The ICC has also stated that it has no problem with the organization of a triangular Twenty20 International tournament that includes India, Pakistan, and another Asian Full Member country (or an Associate Asian country to make it a quadrangular), provided that the competition is held at a neutral location.
“The concept of a tri-nation series emerged as restitution for Pakistan’s loss of hosting India’s Champions Trophy matches the following year,” ESPNcricinfo stated.
In a statement released on Thursday, the International Cricket Council also acknowledged the news.
The Champions Trophy schedule will be announced soon, and Pakistan hopes to win the trophy again in 2017.
Additionally, it declared that the PCB would host the 2028 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with neutral venue preparations also being in place.
One of the senior ICC women’s events is scheduled to be hosted by Cricket Australia in 2029–2031.
Dismay is expressed by former Pakistani cricket players.
Wasim Akram, a former captain of Pakistan, said the decision was “the best solution,” but it was a defeat for the young cricket fans in his nation.
Wasim told AFP, “Like millions of Pakistani fans, I would have preferred for the entire tournament to be played in Pakistan, with India visiting our nation.” However, if this is the answer, it’s the best one.
“This is a loss for millions of Gen Z Pakistani fans who wanted to see [Virat] Kohli, [Rohit] Sharma, [Rishabh] Pant, and [Jasprit] Bumrah play in their country, but it’s not a victory for any nation.”
Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh will also compete for the Champions Trophy.
Former bowler Mohammad Amir stated he wanted to host Kohli at his house in Lahore.
Amir told AFP over the phone from Sri Lanka, “It is disappointing that India will not be playing in Pakistan.” “I wish I could have hosted Kohli at my house, but that isn’t going to happen.”
Indian players would have been blown away by the reception in Pakistan, according to Amir, who announced his retirement from international cricket last week.
“They would have realized how much of a fan base they have here if they had come to Pakistan,” Amir said. “When we traveled to India for the Twenty20 World Cup in 2016, the fans greeted us with open arms.”
Following the 2008 Mumbai bombings, which India attributed to militants operating over the border, New Delhi refused to play bilateral cricket with Pakistan. This newest act of defiance is a continuation of that decision.
Additionally, Pakistan was compelled to host the Asia Cup on a hybrid format last year, with Sri Lanka hosting both the India matches and the final.
Nonetheless, Pakistan participated in the 2023 ICC World Cup in India.
According to Naqvi, PCB is ready to host the Champions Trophy.
According to a PCB press release, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated on Thursday that all preparations are “well on track” and that Pakistan is ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy.
“Our goal has always been to make sure that Pakistan and cricket succeed,” he stated during the 76th PCB Board of Governors meeting in Islamabad.
“Everything is going according to plan, and the PCB is ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy.”
Naqvi went on to say that stadium upgrades and renovations would be finished well in advance of the competition. He declared, “Our teams are putting in a lot of effort to make sure the stadiums meet international standards.”
According to the press release, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s strong position on the ICC Champions Trophy was praised by the Governing Board members.
“The Pakistani public is excited to watch foreign teams play on our soil. Millions of people enjoy cricket, and we think politics should not interfere with it,” Naqvi stated.
