The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly reached an in-principle agreement to adopt a hybrid model for hosting ICC events until 2027.
This significant development comes as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE.
Key Details of the Agreement
Hybrid Model Implementation: The hybrid model allows both India and Pakistan to play their matches at ICC tournaments hosted by the other country at neutral venues. This means that if India is participating in a tournament hosted in Pakistan, their matches will be played in a neutral location, and vice versa.
Global Events Affected: The agreement is expected to apply to all ICC events scheduled between now and 2027, including the 2025 Champions Trophy, the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the Women’s ODI World Cup in India later in 2025.
Meetings Between ICC and PCB Officials: The breakthrough was achieved during discussions between new ICC Chair Jay Shah and PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai. These talks were part of a courtesy meeting arranged by Shah during his first visit to the ICC headquarters in his new role.
Conditions for Acceptance: The PCB’s acceptance of this hybrid model hinges on several conditions, including:
- The model should apply to all ICC events until at least 2027, potentially extending to 2031.
- Compensation for any potential loss of commercial revenue if India’s matches are played at a neutral venue.
- A proposed tri-nation series involving India, Pakistan, and another country to mitigate financial losses.
Neutral Venues: Should India reach the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy, it is likely that at least one semi-final and possibly the final will be held outside Pakistan, with the UAE and Sri Lanka being considered as frontrunners for these neutral venues.
What are the Implications?
This agreement marks a significant step forward in resolving long-standing tensions regarding bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.
India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to security concerns following terrorist attacks, which has led to a prolonged absence of bilateral matches between the two nations.
The hybrid model aims to facilitate international cricket while respecting the concerns of both cricket boards.
It also ensures that fans from both countries can still enjoy high-stakes matches without compromising on security or political issues.
