Former Pakistani pacer and cricketing boozer Mohammad Amir has welcomed the hybrid model of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be hosted by Pakistan, saying that even an Indian-Pakistan match “happens on the moon; the fans will find a way.” In part of an exclusive talk held with Gerard: Cricket Predicta, Amir stated that the cricket boards acted lazily on the matter of the Champions Trophy, asserting that it should have been cleared long ago. With this major decision under Jay Shah’s chairmanship, the International Cricket Council has finally put the issue of hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025 to rest by reserving the next event in Pakistan along with another neutral venue. The hybrid model will also apply to all ICC events during the 2024-27 cycle that will be held in India or Pakistan.
..at the hybrid format of Champions Trophy 2025, where he expressed much over this contest between two of the archrivals, India and Pakistan.
To Sunil Yash Kalra, the founder of Cricket Predicta, he stated: “As a cricketer, I welcome this announcement of the India vs Pakistan match on Champions Trophy 2025 in a neutral venue (as per hybrid model). Even if this contest between India and Pakistan happens on the moon, fans will find a way.”
I would welcome the match of India and Pakistan taking place together. It doesn’t matter where it takes place; the fact is that it has happened. I am happy, and I’m sure that all those who want to see this iconic clash would be also happy.”
He further stated that though as a cricketer, he is satisfied with the ICC’s decision regarding the Champions Trophy, he is disappointed with the laziness of ICC in this respect.
Tournaments have been lined up for scheduling until 2031, so why did work on the Champions Trophy 2025 begin only two months ago? The ICC really acted very lazy (on the delays concerning the Champions Trophy). Essentially, the ICC has to act to solve this deadlock earlier because even a calendar now sets many things years into the future. A match is required between India and Pakistan; everyone, including me, is waiting for that match,” he added.
There will be matches between India and Pakistan at ICC events from 2024 through 2027 that will be held at neutral venues. This applies to the following events: ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 – hosted by Pakistan and taking place in February-March 2025, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 – hosted by India, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
It was also announced that PCB would hold the hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, wherein neutral venue arrangements would also apply.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is expected to be announced soon, with Pakistan targeting a title defense after winning in 2017 with a final victory against India.
The tournament features eight teams, which are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and hosts Pakistan.
Because of political tensions between the two countries, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 when they last visited for the Asia Cup. India and Pakistan’s last bilateral competition was held in India just a few months back, in which whites played ball-only games in 2012-13. For most of their matches, India has faced Pakistan in either ICC tournaments or Asia Cups.
