ICC Approves Hybrid Model for 2025 Champions Trophy to Resolve India-Pakistan Stalemate

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a crucial step towards resolving the long-standing India-Pakistan cricketing impasse by approving a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

This move follows a proposal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), introduced on December 2, known as the ‘fusion formula’. Under this agreement, India will play its matches at a neutral venue during the Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy. In exchange, Pakistan will also play its matches at neutral venues in future ICC events hosted by India.

According to ESPNcricinfo, this hybrid model has been approved for the entire 2024-2027 event cycle. The agreement ensures that India’s matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy will take place at a neutral venue, while in return, all matches between Pakistan and India in future events hosted by either country will also be played at neutral venues.

This breakthrough is expected to ease tensions and facilitate smoother hosting of ICC events. Pakistan will not be traveling to India for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host. Additionally, the hybrid model will apply to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by Pakistan, marking the first tournament of the next event cycle.