The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering three options for the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. The tournament is set to commence in February 2025.
According to sources, the ICC is exploring the following options:
1. Hosting the tournament in Pakistan as planned: This would mark Pakistan’s first major ICC event since the 1996 ODI World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
2. Hybrid model: Under this scenario, matches involving India and the knockout stages would be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the remaining matches would take place in Pakistan.
3. Hosting the tournament outside Pakistan: If this option is chosen, potential hosts include Dubai, Sri Lanka, or South Africa.
Pakistan has not hosted any major ICC events since the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus. The 2011 Champions Trophy was subsequently moved to India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, but Pakistan has visited India on three occasions since then: for a white-ball series in 2012-13, the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The ICC’s decision on the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy is expected to be made in the coming months.
