ICC hybrid model

ICC’s Hybrid Model Sparks Concerns for BCCI and Indian Fans

 

The Indian Cricket Council (ICC) has given its nod to the hybrid hosting model for all its events up to 2027. This was reached during an IOD meeting in Dubai and covers the 2025 Champions Trophy shared between Pakistan and UAE. The change has been major for any ICC tournament and has drawn concerns from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Before 2025’s scheduled February-March Champions Trophy, India will have to shift its matches from Pakistan to Dubai. This comes after Pakistan demanded mutual hosting rights and accepted a kind of mixture arrangement during the ICC last week.

 

Champions Trophy 2025: A Shared Affair Between Pakistan and UAE

 

This has been confirmed by a high-ranking source in the ICC, who said: “It's been agreed in principle by all parties that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with India playing its matches in Dubai. It's a win-win situation for all stakeholders.”

However, this decision has raised much controversy in the circles of Indian cricket. India, which is scheduled to host big tournaments between 2025 and 2027, including the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka and the women’s ODI World Cup, may, therefore, come with its challenges.

 

BCCI Faces Concerns Over New Hosting Dynamics

 

The ICC source revealed further details about the hybrid model. “During the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan will play its matches in Sri Lanka. The compensation demanded by PCB for the Champions Trophy hybrid model is still under consideration,” the source said.

This arrangement is unprecedented. If implemented, it would force India’s men’s and women’s teams to play their ‘home’ matches against Pakistan outside India. Fans may view this as a major setback, particularly for the India-Pakistan rivalry, which draws massive attention during ICC tournaments.

 

Geopolitical Tensions and Cricket’s New Reality

 

Moreover, this hybrid model decision also highlights the long-standing geopolitical tensions between the two nations. It comes to the surface more as India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The ICC has time and again emphasised that members of the boards must adhere to their governments’ travel advisories to avoid further complicating matters and bilateral ties.

While the hybrid model clearly outlines how to remove hosting adversities, it also underlines the complexities of international cricket’s standing in the geopolitical arena. As for India and the BCCI, this change may feel far from “win-win.”