The Champions Trophy 2025 row has reportedly reached the point of settlement, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) approving a hybrid model for the showpiece tournament following an agreement between the PCB and BCCI.
According to India Today’s report, it has been notified that apart from Pakistan, Dubai has been chosen as the other host nation for the marquee event.
This means India will not travel across the border and instead play all three of their league matches and knockout fixtures in Dubai. However, if the Men in Blue are eliminated after the league stage, the semifinal and final will instead be held in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Amid the recent development, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has supported ICC's decision to adopt the hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Raina felt that the players' safety was paramount and the decision was a win-win for both parties.
"I think players' safety is very important. Whatever decision Jay bhai (Jay Shah) has taken. It's important for safety. I think its good that the tournament will take place in a hybrid model. It's better off that way," Raina said while speaking at the 'Champions' session of Agenda AajTak.
Both the BCCI and PCB in principle have also agreed that Pakistan will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 games and will play their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The report also claimed that there will be no compensation for the PCB but they will get to host an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been fraught with political and security issues since the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
While the arch-rivals last played a limited-overs series in 2012, their last meeting in the Test format was way back in 2007. In this period, they've only clashed in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model.
As per the tentative schedule, the eight-team Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9. The high-octane India versus Pakistan clash is expected to be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 1.
