Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Agrees to Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy, But Demands Higher Revenue Share

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly agreed to a hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with conditions. Under this model, India would play their matches, including a potential clash against Pakistan, in Dubai instead of Pakistan. The PCB has also demanded a greater share of the ICC’s annual revenue cycle as compensation for adopting the hybrid model. Additionally, they want future ICC events in India to operate under similar hybrid arrangements.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar supported the PCB’s demand for higher revenue but urged a different stance on playing in India.

Sharing his view on the stance for demanding greater shares from ICC, Akhtar said:

You are getting paid for hosting rights and revenue, and that’s fine – we all understand it. Pakistan’s stance is also reasonable. They should have maintained a strong position, why not? Once we are able to host the Champions Trophy in our country and they are unwilling to come, they should share the revenue with us at a higher rate. That’s a good call.

The PCB’s stance complicates future ICC events. India is scheduled to host three ICC men’s tournaments by 2031, the 2026 T20 World Cup (with Sri Lanka), the 2029 Champions Trophy, and the 2031 ODI World Cup (with Bangladesh). Pakistan may only face challenges traveling to India for events like the 2029 Champions Trophy or next year’s Women’s ODI World Cup.

This agreement highlights the delicate balance of cricket diplomacy between the two nations.