After the PCB presented a fusion formula for India Pakistan Cricket, it was looking all sorted for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 But BCCI is not willing again.
ICC Champions Trophy: PCB-BCCI conflict Over Proposed Hybrid Model
The ongoing dispute over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached a critical stage, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressing reservations about accepting the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed “Partnership or Fusion Formula.” This development has raised concerns about the tournament’s structure, with both parties at conflict over a hybrid hosting approach.
The ICC Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan, marking a watershed moment in the country’s cricket history. However, disagreements between the PCB and the BCCI have erupted over India’s participation. In recent talks with International Cricket Council (ICC) officials in Dubai, and during a video chat between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the PCB proposed a hybrid plan that would allow India to play its matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the ICC has shown interest in this compromise, the BCCI’s hesitance has delayed a resolution.
The PCB’s demand on reciprocal arrangements for prospective ICC tournaments in India is at the heart of the argument. As part of its terms for approving the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy, the PCB requires that a similar model be used for events hosted by India during the next three years. This would imply that Pakistan may play its games at a neutral venue, possibly in Dubai. In addition, the PCB has requested a bigger portion of the ICC’s annual revenue, complicating the negotiations.
The ICC Champions Trophy has become a litmus test for bigger questions about justice and parity in international cricket governance. A PCB official added, “We gave a reasonable solution. If India does not accept it, we cannot hope to send a team there in the future. If an ICC event is held in India, its team will also have to play finals or critical matches in Dubai to maintain balance.” The official went on to say that if the PCB is to move ahead with the hybrid model, this criterion cannot be changed.
The BCCI’s opposition to the hybrid concept for the ICC Champions Trophy is said to stem from a desire to avoid setting a precedent that could jeopardize future ICC tournament hosting. India will host numerous major tournaments, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, the 2029 Champions Trophy, and the 2031 Men’s ODI World Cup. Allowing Pakistan to play its matches at a neutral location during major events may cause logistical and financial disruptions.
Despite the ICC’s efforts to negotiate, an agreement on the ICC Champions Trophy remains elusive. While the PCB sees the hybrid model as a practical compromise, the BCCI’s misgivings highlight the two cricket boards’ significant political and sporting differences.
As the clock ticks down to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, all eyes remain on the ICC, BCCI, and PCB to navigate this impasse. The outcome will not only determine the fate of the tournament but also set a precedent for how cricket’s governing bodies manage geopolitical complexities in the future.
Also Read: PCB-BCCI Deadlock over ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Continues