Champions Trophy 2025: ICC to Make Crucial Decision on Saturday, Jay Shah to Chair Board Meeting from Brisbane Virtually

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to confirm the hosting model for the Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday, December 14. According to Cricbuzz, the ICC, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the much-anticipated resolution will finalise a hybrid model for the tournament.

Saturday's ICC Board meeting, which will include ICC Chairman Jay Shah participating virtually from Brisbane, is expected to ratify the hybrid model. This decision has been hailed as a diplomatic success, balancing political sensitivities and ensuring smooth planning for one of cricket's most prestigious events.

As reported by India Today earlier, the ICC has already approved a hybrid hosting model, allowing matches to be held in both Pakistan and Dubai. This decision comes as part of an agreement between the PCB and BCCI, addressing logistical and geopolitical challenges between the two cricketing boards.

Under this arrangement, Pakistan will host 10 of the tournament's 15 matches, primarily during the group stage. However, India's three league-stage matches, including the marquee India-Pakistan clash, will be played in Dubai. The semifinals and final are also scheduled to take place in Dubai. If India is eliminated before the knockout stage, the semifinals and final may be hosted in Lahore and Rawalpindi, reaffirming Pakistan's role as the primary host.

The hybrid hosting model reflects an approach used during the 2023 Asia Cup, where India's matches were relocated to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan being the official host. This precedent appears to have influenced the structure of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

This agreement also connects to broader discussions about bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan. In a related development, the BCCI and PCB have agreed that Pakistan will not travel to India for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Instead, the India-Pakistan match, along with Pakistan's other group-stage games, will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosts of the tournament.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, featuring eight teams in two groups. This hybrid hosting model ensures the tournament remains on track while addressing modern geopolitical challenges, setting the stage for an electrifying global cricket spectacle.