The ICC has confirmed that the Champions Trophy will be held in the hybrid model. Pakistan also agreed to host two countries. The group match between India and Pakistan will be played in Dubai. India will play all its matches in UAE, 2 knockout matches will also be played here.
According to media reports, Pakistan has kept the condition. The 2026 T-20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka have jointly hosted the tournament. Team India wanted to hold the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model. That is why Pakistan will also play the World Cup match to be held in India at a neutral venue.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to start from February 19, the detailed schedule of the tournament may be announced soon. The ICC can announce the schedule after getting the consent of BCCI and PCB. Pakistan are the defending champions of the tournament, having won the title in 2017 by defeating India in the final.
All 15 members agreed to the hybrid model A meeting of all board members was held on December 3 in the presence of new ICC chairman Jai Shah. Shah also reached the headquarters in Dubai this month. In the meeting, all 15 members of the board agreed for the hybrid model. Pakistan also did not oppose the decision in the meeting.
Jai Shah reached the ICC headquarters in Dubai after becoming the chairman on 5th December.
5 out of 15 matches will be held in UAE The 15-match tournament between 8 teams is scheduled to begin on February 19 and will continue till March 9, though the official schedule is yet to be announced. India will play all three of its group stage matches in the UAE. Semi-finals and finals will also be played here. While the remaining 10 matches of the tournament will be held in Pakistan. PCB presented 4-5 demands in the meeting, but ICC rejected most of the demands.
Pakistan does not want to be in India's group The PCB also demanded that Pakistan should be dropped from its group if India wanted to play at a neutral venue. So Pakistan should play all its group matches at home ground, but the ICC and BCCI along with the broadcasters opposed this demand, as India-Pakistan matches are blockbuster events in any tournament. The two teams may meet in the Champions Trophy in Dubai on March 1.
PCB wants its revenue for the fiscal year to increase by 5.75 percent. Also, till 2031, all major events held in India should be in hybrid model only. India refused to send its team to Pakistan for this tournament. Initially, Pakistan was adamant that India would have to come to Pakistan, but after India's strong stance, the Pakistan Cricket Board has finally agreed to a hybrid model.
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Bhaskar Exclusive: India won't go to Pakistan under any circumstances: Govt tells BCCI – Champions Trophy should be held at neutral venue, else India will host it
Team India will not go to Pakistan to play Champions Trophy under any circumstances. BCCI sources said that if the Pakistan Cricket Board does not agree to the hybrid model, then Team India will not play the tournament. India is also ready to host the tournament if PCB does not host it. The ICC has called a meeting on November 29, in which the final decision on the venue will be taken. Click to read more…
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
