NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali proposed a unique solution to the ongoing India-Pakistan standoff over the Champions Trophy 2025.
He suggested that if the International Cricket Council (ICC) decides to move forward with a hybrid model, it would be best to place India and Pakistan in separate pools.
According to Basit, this setup could ease logistical and diplomatic tensions by reducing direct encounters until later stages.
However, he added that neither the ICC nor the broadcasters would favour this idea, as India-Pakistan matches are a massive revenue generator.
“If cricket is to continue and the hybrid model is to be maintained, place Pakistan in one pool and India in the other. But neither the ICC nor the broadcasters will be happy with this, because this is an opportunity to make money,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
Champions Trophy Ka Final Tou Lahore Main Hi Hu Ga | Basit Ali
Ali didn’t hold back on his opinion of how crucial the rivalry is for global cricket’s financial ecosystem.
“Duniya bewakoof hai,” he added, calling the world “foolish” for elevating other series like the Ashes or India-Australia matchups to the same level.
“The world is foolish (duniya bewakoof hai) to say that The Ashes is amazing or that the India-Australia series is amazing; it’s not like that. As long as cricket is being played and Pakistan-India matches are happening, there will be money; otherwise, there won’t be,” Basit remarked, explaining the financial magnetism of the India-Pakistan rivalry, which remains unmatched in terms of viewership and revenue generation.
Amid escalating tensions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing to formally approach the ICC, requesting clarity on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly dismissed the hybrid model proposal that would shift India’s games to a neutral location, insisting instead on securing Pakistan’s hosting rights.
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The Champions Trophy, set for February 19 to March 9, 2025, is scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
If an agreement isn’t reached, the ICC may consider moving the tournament to an alternative location, with South Africa and the UAE emerging as potential hosts, according to multiple reports.
As bilateral cricket between the two nations has been frozen since 2012, ICC is not finding itself in an easy place.
In a similar instance, the 2023 Asia Cup saw a hybrid model that moved India’s games to Sri Lanka, while Pakistan retained partial hosting rights.