Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has calculated that Pakistan will not suffer financially because of the Champions Trophy 2025 played in a Hybrid Model.
He feels that the final decision is made after Pakistan hasn’t lost face despite agreeing to host India matches in a third country.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the Champions Trophy will be played in a hybrid model with India’s matches to be played at a neutral venue.
However, they also mentioned that a similar agreement will be in place for all ICC events with Pakistan and India not crossing the border during the 2024-27 rights cycle, with Pakistan’s matches in all tournaments will be played in a neutral venue.
In a YouTube video, Aakash Chopra opined that Pakistan got a fair deal from the ICC.
“Pakistan is not losing money. In fact, in this arrangement, Pakistan hasn’t even lost its face. No matter how much they might have talked against the Hybrid Model, they had ultimately agreed, but they have also not walked away empty-handed,” he said.
“It’s now almost confirmed that it will be tit for tat. All matches till 2027 will be in the Hybrid Model. If India are not going to Pakistan, Pakistan will also not come to India and play against India. Pakistan will play their matches in a third country,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Pakistan has been alloted to host ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028. However, he added that India are unlikely to travel for that event as well and it too might be held in the Hybrid model.
Aakash Chopra noted that Pakistan might lose some tourism money. “There is no money lost because they will get an extra $4.50 million as they will have to spend a little more while hosting it in a third country.”
“They were being given ₹600 crore and will now get $4.50 million more. Of course, there will be a slight tourism loss because a lot of people used to travel for India-Pakistan engagements,” he said.
He also added potential reduction in number of spectators at the ground will also not hurt Pakistan financially.
“It could be a financial loss because of that but there is no direct loss because the gate-receipt money doesn’t go to the home nation in ICC events in any case.”
“It’s also been decided that Pakistan will not come to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Sri Lanka are the co-hosts,” Chopra explained.
Chopra added that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be seen representing India in the tournament.
