Karachi: Additional expenses will be required to hold India’s matches at a neutral venue under the hybrid model in the Champions Trophy 2025.
After the consent of the Pakistan and Indian cricket boards on a conditional agreement by the ICC, additional expenses will be incurred in matches played outside Pakistan.
In July this year, the ICC meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, approved giving Pakistan $70 million to host the Champions Trophy, while $4.5 million per team was allocated for additional expenses, the purpose of which was to transfer the matches to another center if the Indian cricket team did not come to Pakistan to play.
Now, additional money will be required for matches under the hybrid model. It is also worth mentioning that Pakistan had submitted the schedule and format of the Champions Trophy in the aforementioned meeting, but no decision has been taken in this regard yet.
The proposed schedule for the Champions Trophy includes Group A Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan.
India’s first match in the event is scheduled for February 20 against Bangladesh, the second match is scheduled for February 23 against New Zealand, and the third match is scheduled for March 1 against the host Pakistan. If India reaches the semi-finals, there will be additional costs for holding a semi-final and final abroad.
It is also worth mentioning that due to political tensions between the two countries, India has not visited Pakistan since 2008, while Pakistan has visited India four times in the last 16 years, on the occasion of the Asia Cup 2023. After Pakistan refused to come and play, India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model.
