Champions Trophy 2025 set for South Africa if PCB rejects 'Hybrid Model'

Trouble appears to be brewing for the Pakistan Cricket Board over their obstinate stance of hosting the whole Champions Trophy in the nation the following year. The Indian Cricket Board has already informed the International Cricket Board that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, over security issues. Since India’s stand on the entire situation became official, the Pakistan Cricket Board has allegedly also threatened to withdraw from the event as a mark of protest. 

Though the discussions over the fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy are still in the preliminary phase, it has been reported that the International Cricket Board is already at SA as the potential host for the event. If Pakistan doesn’t consent to a hybrid model, the tournament could be shifted elsewhere. 

"Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India's matches in UAE and the final in Dubai," a PTI cited a source saying on Monday.  

"The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan," the source added further. 

As a result of the developments and the demands from the Indian Cricket Board, the International Cricket Board also made a profitable offer to the Pakistan Cricket Board. 

“The International Cricket Board has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a Hybrid Model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches," the source said.

As per a Sports Tak report the International Cricket Board has also told PCB that the complete tournament could be taken to South Africa if the board opts to pull out and not agree to the hybrid model. 

Despite the risks, the PCB, however, is insistent on not going for a hybrid model yet again. Talks between the Pakistan board and its government are believed to chisel the direction in which the tournament’s fate is to head. 

There is no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a Hybrid Model system as of now," a PCB source told PTI.

"An email is to be sent to the International Cricket Board with the advice of its legal department in which the Board wanted clarifications from the International Cricket Board on the Indian decision," the source added. "As of now, the entire situation is being gauged by the PCB. No decision has been taken on the next step. Yes the PCB is in touch with the government for consultation and directives if required."