The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, a major international cricket tournament, is caught in a heated debate over its hosting arrangements. Pakistan, the designated host, and India, one of the participating teams, are at odds over how and where the matches will be played. Here’s a breakdown of the situation in simple terms for non-cricket enthusiasts.

Why Is This an Issue?

In 2021, Pakistan was chosen to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. This decision was exciting for Pakistan because it would be the first ICC event they’d host in nearly 30 years. However, political tensions between India and Pakistan have complicated matters. India has refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan due to security concerns, making the tournament’s logistics a big challenge.

What Are the Options?

The International Cricket Council (ICC), which oversees global cricket, presented Pakistan with two choices during a virtual meeting:

1. The Hybrid Model

• Matches involving India, including one semi-final and the final, would be held in Dubai, UAE.
• The remaining games would take place in Pakistan.
• Pakistan would still retain the hosting rights, and the ICC would pay them the full hosting fee.

2. Hosting Rights Revoked

• If Pakistan refuses the hybrid model, the ICC might take the tournament away from them and give it to another country.
• This could lead to Pakistan boycotting the tournament entirely.

Why the Delay?

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, schedule was supposed to be announced earlier this month, but the disagreement between the two cricket boards—the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)—has caused significant delays.

Recent political protests in Pakistan have raised safety concerns. These protests forced Sri Lanka’s A team to cut their tour of Pakistan short. Security issues like this strengthen India’s stance against sending their team to Pakistan.

Historical Context

• Pakistan hosted its last global cricket event, the World Cup, in 1996.
• The Champions Trophy is an eight-team tournament where top cricket teams compete.
• Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy in 2017, defeating India in the final.

India hasn’t played in Pakistan since 2008, and the two teams haven’t competed in a bilateral series since 2012. Most matches between the two happen in neutral countries due to political tensions.

What Happens Next?

The ICC has given Pakistan time to consult with their government and come to a final decision. If Pakistan agrees to the hybrid model, they will keep some hosting rights and the tournament can proceed as planned. If not, the ICC may move the tournament entirely to another country.

Why This Matters

This decision is not just about cricket—it’s also tied to national pride, international relations, and the future of sports in the region. Hosting the Champions Trophy is a big deal for Pakistan, and losing it would be a setback for their cricket board. At the same time, ensuring the safety and feasibility of the tournament is a top priority for the ICC.

The ICC board is expected to meet again soon to finalize the plan. For now, the fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy remains uncertain.