Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has stated that the reported resolution for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the deal struck between the ICC, BCCI, and PCB is nothing but just a lollipop to pacify Pakistan.
As per India Today’s report, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) apparently agreed on a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
As a result of this move, India will play all three league and knockout matches in Dubai rather than crossing the border. However, if the Men in Blue are eliminated after the league round, the semifinal and final would be staged in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Both the BCCI and the PCB have agreed in principle that Pakistan will not go to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 games, instead playing them in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The report also mentioned there will be no compensation for the PCB but they will get to host an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027.
"Everybody got to know that it is going to be a hybrid model, which was also agreed upon by PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, but with the condition that the same model will be in force for the 2026 ICC event (T20 World Cup) in India," Basit said in his YouTube video.
Basit also claimed that the ICC is trying to lure Pakistan with an offer to host a women's World Cup sometime in 2027-28 so that they send their team to India for the 2026 men's T20 World Cup.
"Now it is being said that in 2027 or 2028 women's World Cup hosting rights will be given to Pakistan...Everybody will feel 'wow! Not one but two ICC events in Pakistan!' But it's being done so that in 2026 Pakistan team goes to India, and the Indian women's team will then come to Pakistan. The broadcaster won't suffer any losses.
This is a lollipop ICC is giving to PCB -- if you agree to this, don't ask for anything in writing, and we will give you another ICC event. This won't be of any benefit," said Basit.
The 53-year-old former batter believes the PCB should seek Asia Cup rights, despite the fact that this is a decision made by the Asian Cricket Council rather than the ICC.
"PCB should have asked for the Asia Cup, which has 2-3 India-Pakistan matches, even if in hybrid mode. I know they will say it is the Asian Cricket Council's property, but the big boss is ICC," Basit said.
