Champions Trophy to adopt hybrid model? ICC likely to meet on November 26

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to hold an emergency meeting in the next week for the dates and venues of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy which is scheduled to take place in February and March next year.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the meeting is likely to take place on November 26 where the main agenda will be whether the marquee event will solely take place in Pakistan or in a hybrid model (where Pakistan will host the tournament with one more country which is not yet decided).

The meeting was scheduled after ICC conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in writing that India would not travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in early 2025. PCB consulted with the Pakistan government on the issue and is looking to present its stance.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

However, the Pakistan board expressed that they want India to travel to Pakistan as their team also went during the time of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup in 2023. Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asian Trophy, but it was held in a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in Sri Lanka. India and Pakistan played their last bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, a white-ball series and now mostly play in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup.

As per ESPNCricinfo, several contingency plans have been made months back in case of hybrid model being adopted. For India to play its set of matches, the UAE is likely a frontrunner because of its proximity to Pakistan. Also, Sri Lanka is on the shortlist as well.

Due to tense political ties between both nations, India has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, when they played the Asia Cup over there. The arch-rivals played their last bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, a white-ball series and now mostly play in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.

• Pakistan signals tough stance on future sports diplomacy with India amid Champions Trophy dispute