The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to announce the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 today, following the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) agreement to the tournament's hybrid model.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the PCB have resolved their differences, and negotiations between the ICC and the eight participating cricket boards are nearing completion, Express News reported.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with Pakistan and Dubai set to co-host the tournament. The decision comes after weeks of discussions and an eventual agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Under the new arrangement, matches will be split between Pakistan and Dubai, ensuring participation from all teams while addressing security and logistical concerns raised by some boards.
In another significant decision, the PCB and BCCI have also reached an understanding regarding the T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan will not travel to India for their league-stage match against the arch-rivals. Instead, the high-profile clash will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
While the PCB will not receive any financial compensation for the adjustments, they have secured the hosting rights for an ICC Women's tournament after 2027.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Pakistan, the defending champions, clinched the title in the previous edition held in 2017.
The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) will host the Champions Trophy in 2025, with Pakistan scheduled to host 10 matches of the tournament. However, all three of India's league matches, including the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan, will be held in Dubai.
Additionally, the semifinal and final of the tournament are also slated to take place in Dubai. If India is eliminated after the league stage, the semifinal and final will instead be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have kept the two countries from playing bilateral series since 2012-13, with both teams only meeting in ICC events and the Asia Cup. India has not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained political relations.
A similar hybrid model was used during the 2023 men's 50-over Asia Cup, where India played their matches, including the semi-finals and final, in Colombo, while Pakistan hosted the rest of the tournament.
