Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has confirmed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played under a hybrid model following a reported agreement between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to the new arrangement as claimed by Latif, India will not travel to Pakistan for their matches due to ongoing security concerns and will instead play all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 games in Dubai, UAE.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be played under hybrid model

This compromise allows Pakistan to retain the hosting rights for the tournament. Rashid Latif also revealed that the semifinals and final of the eight-team tournament will also be moved out of Pakistan if India qualifies for the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan loses hosting rights after officially declining Hybrid Model

This arrangement has been made after BCCI refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, citing the Indian government’s denial in granting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the board.

The final schedule and details of the format for the next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are expected to be confirmed in the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting on Friday, November 29.

India will play their games in a different country: Rashid Latif

Rashid Latif was quoted as saying by RevSportz: “The apex body of international cricket and the two boards have agreed to go ahead with a hybrid model. The PCB will not be stripped of the hosting rights, but India will play their games in a different country. A semi-final and the final would be played outside Pakistan if India makes it to the knockout stage.”

Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his desire to host the tournament entirely in Pakistan. But Latif said that without India, the ICC won’t host the tournament, so it would be beneficial for the PCB to give the green signal for the hybrid model as they can earn more money through the compromise.

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, Semi-Final moved out of Pakistan

Rashid Latif says PCB might earn more money if they agree to a hybrid model

It is being said that the ICC is exploring the option of offering financial incentives to convince Pakistan to agree to the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refuses, the ICC could take a vote to potentially cancel Pakistan's hosting rights.

Latif signed off by saying, “If I were the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I would have said the same thing. We had the same situation in last year’s Asia Cup, and it was played in a hybrid model. The ICC will give around $64-65 million to PCB as a hosting fee. Pakistan might earn more money if they agree to the hybrid model. I don’t think Pakistan will say no. The PCB and the ICC will soon make an announcement.”

This situation has raised concerns that Pakistan may consider boycotting the event or refusing to play against India. Given the substantial financial interests of broadcasters, there is expected to be strong opposition to any disruption, particularly regarding matches between the two rival nations.