South Africa likely to be named Champions Trophy 2025 hosts if Pakistan doesn’t agree to Hybrid model: Reports

As the Champions Trophy 2025 stand-off rolls on, there is a new venue that has come into place. According to reports by Sports Tak, the tournament could be shifted to South Africa. This will happen if the Pakistan Cricket Board doesn’t agree to the Hybrid Model since India doesn’t want to tour across the border. 

It was confirmed in the last few days that the Indian government isn’t ready to send the team to Pakistan.  The PCB for its part doesn’t want to hold the tournament with the Hybrid model. Asia Cup 2023 which was to be solely hosted by Pakistan was played with the same Hybrid model after India decided not to tour. 

Mohsin Naqvi during his chat with the media said, “Till today, no one has discussed any ‘Hybrid Model’ with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years and no one should expect us to do it all the time. I will take anything written to the government and whatever decision they take we have to follow them.”

Basit Ali wants Pakistan to be awarded two points

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali was live on his YouTube Channel where he said, “Pakistan should play all their matches in Pakistan. It is as simple as that. Pakistan should not participate if the Champions Trophy is taken from them and conducted in some other country. People are saying that the ICC will ban Pakistan if they don’t participate. Try to ban Pakistan if you have the courage. Everyone will lose their sleep.”

Basit Ali also said that Pakistan should be awarded two points just like Sri Lanka had been awarded during the 1996 ODI World Cup. Australia and West Indies hadn’t toured Sri Lanka citing security issues and the eventual World Cup winners were given two points. 

“Do you remember that in the 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka got 2-2 points after the West Indies and Australia did not go? Try to put India and Pakistan in different pools; the ICC will refuse. Pakistan and India are always in the same pool because of money. If there is a hybrid model and India doesn’t visit Pakistan, give Pakistan two points. It has happened before too, so try it now” said Basit Ali on his YouTube channel.