Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for conceding to the hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, asserting that the agreement had already been finalized long before the board’s public acceptance of the proposal.
Under the controversial hybrid model, India will play all of its matches in the UAE, while the remainder of the tournament will be hosted in Pakistan.
This agreement came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian team would not be granted government clearance to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.
The ICC, citing ongoing political and security challenges in Pakistan, endorsed the proposal.
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Akhtar, in a recent interview with a local media outlet, expressed his disappointment with the PCB's handling of the situation. While acknowledging the financial benefits of retaining hosting rights under the hybrid model, he argued that Pakistan's position should have been firmer in negotiations.
"The PCB was right in retaining the revenue and hosting rights, but they should have demanded a larger share of the revenue," Akhtar said. "If India was unwilling to play in Pakistan, then Pakistan deserved a better deal."
The hybrid model, Akhtar claimed, had already been agreed upon before the PCB's public concession. He suggested that PCB’s resistance appeared to be largely for show, while the terms were already set. "In reality, the hybrid model had already been signed. PCB should have taken a stronger position to ensure better terms," he added.
The model was introduced after the BCCI made it clear that India would not participate in the tournament if it were hosted in Pakistan. Despite PCB's initial insistence on hosting the entire event, reports suggest that the board ultimately relented to avoid losing the hosting rights altogether.
Looking beyond the immediate issue, Akhtar also addressed the broader context of Pakistan-India cricket relations. He advocated for a pragmatic approach from the PCB in future encounters with India.
“In terms of playing in India in the future, we should extend a hand of friendship. My belief has always been: go to India and defeat them there—India mein khelo aur wahi unhe maarke aao (play in India and beat them on their home ground),” he remarked.
There have been mixed reactions to the hybrid model agreement. Some have praised the PCB for retaining hosting rights, while others have questioned the board’s ability to negotiate better terms.
