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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) along with Pakistan government are in a state of fix after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conveyed its decision to not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. At one point the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been adamant to host the tournament entirely in Pakistan as he on Friday, November 8 ruled out the possibility of the tournament being played in a hybrid model.
This has definitely put the PCB in a state of dilemma and would either look to move the tournament into a hybrid model or may end up losing the hosting rights. Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also asked PCB to adopt to hybrid model with India playing its matches in the UAE, reports have revealed that if they fail, the tournament could be moved to South Africa.
CT’25 to move to South Africa if PCB fails to accept ICC’s demand: Reports
However, PCB looks firm on its decision of hosting all matches in Pakistan, a PTI report, as quoted by Times Now adds that if Pakistan opts against the new arrangement, the ICC could shift the entire tournament to South Africa. Although, none of the cricketing boards along with the apex body has made any official statement in regard to the same. Moreover, it adds that the ICC have written to PCB asking them to confirm if the hybrid model will be acceptable to them or not.
If PCB agrees, it will not be the first time that a multi-team tournament will be played in a hybrid model. In 2023, PCB adopted the hybrid model for the Asia Cup, leading to India’s decision to not travel to Pakistan. The Men in Blue then played all their matches in Sri Lanka and ended up winning the title.
