ICC Mulls Venue Options for 2025 Champions Trophy Amid Host Concerns

The ICC is exploring options for hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy, originally slated for Pakistan. Choices include maintaining Pakistan as host, a hybrid model with the UAE, or relocation to Dubai, Sri Lanka, or South Africa. Security concerns drive these discussions, affecting Indo-Pak cricket relations.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively considering three potential options for the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is currently planned to take place in Pakistan, according to reliable sources.

Although Pakistan still holds the hosting rights, the ICC is weighing the possibility of proceeding with the tournament as scheduled in Pakistan, or utilizing a hybrid model involving both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this format, matches involving India, as well as the knockout stage, would be held in Dubai.

The third prospect involves moving the entire event outside Pakistan, with Dubai, Sri Lanka, or South Africa emerging as potential venues. This consideration comes 27 years after Pakistan last co-hosted a major ICC event in the 1996 ODI World Cup. The decision is also influenced by Indo-Pak cricketing tensions and past security issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)