PCB to go with the original plan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Reports were coming in that the PCB will adopt a hybrid model for India
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to stick with its original plan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for early next year. This means they currently don’t have a backup plan in place. Their decision suggests they’re confident the tournament will run smoothly without any need for alternative arrangements.
With the Indian team’s participation in the Champions Trophy still uncertain, officials are downplaying the possibility of a hybrid format.
The Champions Trophy in Pakistan is poised to be a major event, marking the return of a global cricket tournament to the country after a considerable absence. However, while the PCB is committed to hosting all matches in Pakistan, India’s participation remains unclear.
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Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has refused to acknowledge that there are no plans to adopt a hybrid model like the board did to host the Asia Cup 2023.
Sources from the PCB have confirmed that there is no plan to adopt a hybrid model as back in the Asia Cup, it created disputes between the cricket governing bodies of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
To further prove the point, Pakistan has not yet initiated any discussions with the UAE for co-hosting possibilities as the PCB is assured that India will play their scheduled matches in Lahore and that the BCCI will permit them to travel to Pakistan.
As for other news regarding the Champions Trophy 2025, the work is picking up at Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to host the tournament, and the renovations are expected to be completed by December 2024.
The stadiums will be renovated according to the international style, and the PCB has tasked an international company for the modifications. The company is said to be an expert in stadium design, modification, and renovation.
As for the Pakistani cricket team, they are on a tour of England which will end on May 30th and then the Babar Azam-led team will travel to the USA for the T20 World Cup 2024.
