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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, resolving a long-standing dispute over hosting rights. This model ensures that matches involving India, due to strained political relations with Pakistan, will be played at neutral venues. This decision, made under the chairmanship of Jay Shah, has been met with mixed reactions within the cricketing world. While the confirmation of an India-Pakistan match is a significant victory for fans worldwide, the delayed resolution and the implementation of a hybrid model have sparked debate and criticism.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, in a statement reported by ANI, voiced his support for the match, highlighting the excitement surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry. He famously stated that even if the match were to be held on the moon, fans would find a way to witness it. This sentiment underscores the immense popularity and global reach of this high-stakes cricketing encounter. However, Amir also expressed disappointment with the ICC's handling of the situation, criticizing their delayed response and seemingly sluggish approach to resolving the hosting rights issue well in advance of the tournament. He pointed out the long-term scheduling of ICC events, questioning why the Champions Trophy 2025 arrangement took so long to finalize.
The hybrid model, while ensuring the inclusion of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, raises questions about the spirit of fair play and the importance of home-ground advantage. Although it guarantees the match, it compromises on the ideal scenario of hosting matches in the designated host nation. The decision reflects the complex geopolitical realities impacting international sporting events and the ICC's efforts to navigate these delicate diplomatic considerations. This approach will also be adopted for other ICC events in the 2024-2027 cycle, including the Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka). Pakistan has also been awarded the hosting rights for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, again with neutral venue arrangements.
The absence of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan since 2012-13 underscores the depth of the political tensions between the two nations. Their cricketing encounters are largely confined to ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup, highlighting the challenges of maintaining sporting relations amidst significant political differences. The ICC's hybrid model serves as a pragmatic solution, ensuring the inclusion of the high-profile India-Pakistan match while accommodating the geopolitical constraints. However, it also raises broader questions about the balance between sporting integrity, diplomacy, and the desires of the global cricketing fanbase.
The upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a thrilling tournament. With eight teams participating – Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan – the competition will be fierce. Pakistan, as the defending champions from 2017, will be aiming to retain their title. The anticipation for the India-Pakistan clash is immense, with fans around the world eagerly awaiting this iconic encounter, regardless of the chosen neutral venue. The ICC's decision, although met with some criticism regarding the delay in resolution, ultimately paves the way for this highly anticipated match, ensuring that the rivalry continues to captivate audiences globally. The final schedule is expected to be announced soon, confirming the venues and the specific match dates. The event itself underscores the enduring power of cricket as a unifying force, even amidst significant geopolitical complexities.
Source: 'Even if India vs Pakistan happens on moon ... ': Mohammad Amir on ICC Champions Trophy hybrid model