ICC Accepts CT Hybrid Model, Indo-Pak 2026 - T20 World Cup Clash Moved to Colombo

Admin 21
19 Dec, 2024

In a significant development for international cricket, the ICC (International Cricket Council), BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), and PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) have reached a crucial agreement concerning the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026. As part of this new arrangement, it has been decided that the Pakistan men's cricket team will not travel to India for their league match against the host nation. Instead, this highly anticipated match will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This decision comes on the heels of a prolonged impasse regarding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted in Pakistan. Sources close to the BCCI and ICC have indicated that the Pakistan Cricket Board has ultimately accepted a hybrid model for the tournament. Under this model, India will play its matches in Dubai, allowing for a compromise in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions. With the ICC officially endorsing this hybrid model, the Champions Trophy 2025 is now poised to proceed as planned in Pakistan in February and March of that year.

Despite this positive development, it's important to note that the ICC and BCCI have not acquiesced to the PCB's request for compensation related to potential revenue losses stemming from the decision to relocate the Indo-Pak match away from India. However, the ICC has committed to award the PCB the opportunity to host a women's tournament after 2027, which could help alleviate some concerns regarding revenue generation. The status of the Champions Trophy 2025 was initially uncertain after the BCCI expressed to the ICC that it had not received permission from the Indian government to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the event. With the ICC supporting the BCCI's position, the announcement regarding the tournament's fixtures faced delays. Although the PCB initially maintained that it would host the entire tournament within its borders, it ultimately conceded to the hybrid model when the ICC and BCCI provided assurances that Pakistan's matches in future ICC events hosted in India would also adhere to a similar hybrid format. With both the ICC and BCCI aligning on these demands, the way has been cleared for the 2025 Champions Trophy to move forward under the newly established hybrid framework, marking a significant step in fostering international cricket relations amidst challenges.