Recently, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) rejected PCB’s (Pakistan Cricket Board) request to implement a ‘Hybrid Model’ for ICC events in India. Considering the security problem, the BCCI has decided not to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. However, ICC, PCB, and BCCI had a deep discussion to resolve this recurring dispute.
ICC’s Final Decision on Hybrid Model of Champions Trophy 2025 Hosting
After prolonged discussions and meetings, the ICC (International Cricket Council) has now publicly made an announcement confirming that Champions Trophy 2025 will follow a hybrid hosting model.
There were multiple conversations and negotiations before ICC made this decision. Finally, now it is confirmed that India will be playing all their matches in Dubai. However, the hosting rights for the remaining fixtures of the tournament will be equally shared between Pakistan and UAE (United Arab Emirates).
Jay Shah, the new ICC chairman, along with other members of the ICC (International Cricket Council) conducted an informal meeting at their headquarters in Dubai. And, this is when they confirmed their decision to resolve the complicated geopolitical challenges. Because these setbacks have always affected cricketing relationships between India and Pakistan.
Jay Shah as the New ICC Chairman evokes Cricket’s Positiveness
On 1st December 2024 (Sunday), Jay Shah officially stepped into his new role becoming the chairman of ICC. He replaced Greg Barclay, who had served the office ever since November 2020.
Having a successful tenure with the BCCI, Jay Shah was elected without any opposition. He was granted the ICC Chair in August 2024 with the support of other nations’ cricket boards, which included Australia and England. Most importantly, it was Greg Barclay’s choice not to compete for his 3rd term. And, this decision of Barclay has opened the path for Shah’s position of authority.
Australian Cricketers Support Jay Shah
During ESPN’s ‘Around the Wicket’, a few former Australian cricketers have publicly stated their support and high hopes for Jay Shah’s tenure as ICC chairman.
Lisa Sthalekar, a prominent cricketer of Women’s cricket in Australia, had expressed her expectations about Jay Shah’s administration. She spoke about his successful tenure in BCCI and voiced her hopes about his role in ICC.
Adding to that, Lisa Sthalekar said that Jay Shah might take necessary initiatives like the ‘Test fund’. And, he would ensure that Test cricket expands and improves with players having equal opportunities.
The main reason for Lisa to support Jay was the way how influential he was during the WPL (Women’s Premier League). Therefore, Lisa Sthalekar says that she is excited to see Jay Shah’s influential decisions at the ICC level.
Moreover, Aaron Finch, the former Captain of Australia also praises Jay Shah’s career achievements and his capabilities of managing the most complex situations in the Indian Cricket Administration.
India might face new challenges with the ICC’s decision!
According to the reports, it is said that India will be hosting all main tournaments of ICC till 2031. India will solely host the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and the Men’s Champions Trophy in 2029. The Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026 will be hosted along with Sri Lanka, and the ODI World Cup in 2031 along with Bangladesh.
During 2026, amidst all the hosting arrangements, even if Pakistan had opposed the idea of traveling to India, they would have been compelled to do so. If all, the above reports were true, India would not be playing their marquee match against Pakistan at their home ground.
Being the sole host of ICC events, it would be very abnormal if India had to travel outside for the home match.
The 2026 season of the men’s T20 World Cup is said to organize Pakistan’s matches in Sri Lanka, which were supposed to be played in India. And, upon agreeing to this condition, the Indian women’s team will also have to accept traveling to a neutral venue to compete against Pakistan in the league stages of the tournament.
How and Why did Pakistan agree to the Hybrid Model of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Pakistan had agreed with the ‘Hybrid Model’ for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, because of the boycott threat they have been issued with. With Jay Shah being the new chairman of the International Cricket Council and the previous ICC meeting being firm with the decision, Pakistan feared losing further hosting opportunities.
As a result, the International Cricket Council will adhere to this Hybrid model for the forthcoming ICC tournaments till the completion of the ongoing media rights cycle in 2027.
Ever since 2008, the Indian Cricket team has never stepped onto Pakistan soil including their last participation in the ninth edition of the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. This is due to the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 that killed more than 200 people.
India’s latest refusal is also because of security concerns because the Indian government feels that it is not safe for the players.
