Indo-Pak 2026 T20 WC clash moved to Colombo
Mumbai, Dec 14: In a significant development for international cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, paving the way for the tournament to proceed as scheduled in Pakistan during February-March 2025.
According to sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and ICC, India will play its matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
As part of the compromise, the ICC, BCCI, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have also agreed to shift the league-stage match between India and Pakistan in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup to Colombo, Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka are co-hosts for the tournament, and this move ensures that political sensitivities do not disrupt the marquee clash.
The decision follows months of negotiations after the BCCI informed the ICC of its inability to secure governmental clearance to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The PCB, initially adamant about hosting the entire tournament on its soil, eventually agreed to the hybrid model in exchange for assurances regarding future ICC events.
While the ICC has not met PCB’s demands for financial compensation for revenue losses resulting from the Indo-Pak match being played outside Pakistan, the ICC has offered Pakistan hosting rights for a women’s ICC event after 2027.
A Long-Drawn Stalemate Ends
The future of the Champions Trophy was uncertain as tensions escalated between the BCCI and PCB. The PCB had sought written guarantees that Pakistan’s matches in ICC tournaments hosted by India would follow a similar hybrid model. With the ICC and BCCI agreeing to these conditions, the Champions Trophy is now set to proceed, albeit with India playing its games in Dubai.
This compromise marks a turning point in negotiations, but the decision has sparked criticism, with concerns raised about the impact on Pakistan cricket.
Basit Ali Criticises ICC Deal
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has voiced strong opposition to the reported deal between the PCB and ICC. In a video on his YouTube channel, Basit termed the compromise a “lollipop” that would harm Pakistan cricket in the long run.
“The ICC has thrown a lollipop to the PCB, offering them hosting rights for a women’s tournament after 2027. This is being presented as a win, but it’s no benefit to Pakistan cricket. The PCB should instead demand hosting rights for high-profile men’s tournaments like the Asia Cup,” Basit said.
Basit also warned that this arrangement could set a precedent for future compromises, allowing the Pakistan men’s team to travel to India and vice versa under similar conditions, ensuring broadcasters avoid revenue losses.
He urged the PCB to push for hosting rights for the Asia Cup in 2025, arguing that high-profile men’s tournaments are more significant both financially and for cricketing prestige.
PCB Under Pressure
The PCB has not yet confirmed the agreement but is reportedly under pressure to accept the hybrid model to ensure the Champions Trophy proceeds without further delays. The ICC’s refusal to compensate the PCB for revenue losses from the India-Pakistan game has added to the controversy.
While the Champions Trophy hybrid model resolves an immediate impasse, it has opened debates about the long-term impact on Pakistan cricket and its hosting rights for major tournaments. The spotlight now shifts to whether the PCB will formally agree to the deal amid criticism from former players and cricketing experts. (IANS)