ICC warns PCB, urges to accept hybrid model or risk Pakistan's exclusion from Champion's Trophy

With the Champions Trophy 2025 decision drawing near, a massive storm is brewing. According to reports carried by PTI, the International Cricket Council has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board. It has come to light that the ICC has asked the PCB to accept the Hybrid model since India has decided not to travel across the border. 

Noted journalist Vikrant Gupta wrote on Twitter, “CHAMPIONS TROPHY BIG BREAKING: ICC Board has given PCB a day to mull over Hybrid Formula and in case they remain adamant (and worse case pullout or threaten CT boycott) the Champions Trophy will be held in a different country altogether. PCB most likely to go ahead with Hybrid.”

CHAMPIONS TROPHY BIG BREAKING: ICC Board has given PCB a day to mull over Hybrid Formula and in case they remain adamant (and worse case pullout or threaten CT boycott) the Champions Trophy will be held in a different country altogether
PCB most likely to go ahead with Hybrid…

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 29, 2024

A few weeks ago, news broke that the Indian government hasn’t given the nod for the Men in Blue to tour Pakistan. Many of the former Pakistan cricket stars had slammed BCCI for the move and urged the PCB not to accept the Hybrid model suggested by the Indian cricket board. 

Pakistan Cricket Board likely to accept Hybrid model

While speaking to PTI, One unnamed ICC source said, “Look, no broadcaster will give a penny to an ICC event which doesn’t have India and Pakistan knows that. The ICC event on Saturday will only happen if Mohsin Naqvi agrees with the ‘Hybrid Model'.”

Yet another member of the Apex Cricket Body, while speaking to PTI, said, “If not then ICC board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country but it will be held without Pakistan. All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025. It is the expected that the board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days.”

Meanwhile, former captain Shahid Afridi has urged the ICC to put down their foot and insist on holding the event in Pakistan. Afridi put out a tweet that read, “By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB's stance against the hybrid model - especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It's time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority.”