Pakistan-India Near Hybrid Model for ICC Events

Pakistan and India are reportedly nearing an agreement on a hybrid model to facilitate their participation in upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments, including the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

Sources revealed on Thursday that this hybrid approach would allow both nations to play their matches at neutral venues, addressing political and logistical challenges that have hampered bilateral cricket ties.

The Proposed Hybrid Model

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially proposed a “fusion formula” under which India’s matches in the Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy would be relocated to neutral venues.

In return, Pakistan requested a reciprocal arrangement for ICC events in India. After prolonged negotiations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly agreed to the plan.

Key Developments

Agreement in Principle: On Thursday evening, talks reportedly reached a breakthrough, with BCCI agreeing in principle after an earlier meeting was postponed.

Shared Hosting: According to India’s PTI news agency, the Champions Trophy will now be jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, with India’s matches being held in Dubai.

Extended to Future Events: The arrangement is expected to apply to all ICC tournaments through 2027, including the Women’s ODI World Cup in October 2024 and the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, which India is co-hosting with Sri Lanka.

PCB Seeks ICC Assurances

Despite the progress, the PCB has emphasized the need for written guarantees from the ICC to ensure smooth implementation.

“The PCB wants assurance from the ICC, not just the BCCI, that the hybrid model will be executed without issues. Everything must be documented to avoid future complications,” a source close to the negotiations explained.

The PCB has proposed incorporating the hybrid model into the host agreements for all relevant ICC events.

Potential Neutral Venue Tri-Series

The PCB has also floated the idea of hosting tri-series tournaments involving Pakistan and India at neutral venues, with England and Australia suggested as potential locations.

While the BCCI has yet to provide a formal response, the concept remains under discussion.

Next Steps

A final agreement is anticipated within the next 48 hours, coinciding with the ICC Board meeting on December 7.

The arrangement will require formal approval and integration into host agreements to ensure binding commitments from all ICC member boards.

This potential breakthrough could mark a significant step forward in resolving cricketing deadlocks between Pakistan and India, paving the way for smoother participation in global tournaments.