Pakistan Rejects Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy 2025 After India Declines Tour

The PCB officials have categorically turned down a hybrid format of the 2025 champions trophy after India declined to tour. It has been known from PCB sources that this decision came after the BCCI had written to the ICC about the Indian government’s objection to the India team’s tour of Pakistan. In response, the PCB has written to the ICC, seeking clarification on India’s refusal and making its own position clear: if India does not play in Pakistan, Pakistan will also avoid any alternate venue arrangement for the tournament.

PCB wants ICC to explain why India got permission to play in their homes.  

The PCB has formally protested to the ICC seeking to know the details of the grounds that have made India reluctant to tour Pakistan during the Champions Trophy 2025. The letter seeks a clarification on India’s government advisory against the tour that has led to the diplomatic cricket crisis. The PCB also ruled out the possibility of the hybrid model where the teams will play in different grounds meaning that Pakistan will not allow any teams to play on its soil during the tournament.

In their letter to PCB, they clearly stated that if India declares not to come to Pakistan, then Pakistan will in equal measures decline to play India in any other country. This is in response to the BCCI’s letter of November 9 when the latter reiterated India’s none participation in any event in Pakistan. The PCB also says that the Champions Trophy 2025 should be fair and neutral where no team will be offered an alternative venue.  

Earlier in June, the BCCI has apprised the ICC of the Indian government’s advice to its cricket team not to tour Pakistan over several issues rooted in the hostile India-Pakistan relations. New Delhi has avoided touring Pakistan for any cricket series since the Asia Cup played in Pakistan in 2008 because of political tensions between the two countries. On the other hand, India has hosted Pakistan cricket team four times in the last 16 years, and the last visit was for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023. Accusing PCB of favouritism, officials said that while in recent years the balance has tilted towards the PCB, there is a dire need for the ICC to lay down more specific rules regarding cross-border cricket relations.