Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that the hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is ‘prearranged’.
According to Shoaib Akhtar, the agreement had already been finalized long before the board’s public acceptance of the proposal.
“In reality, the hybrid model had already been signed. PCB should have taken a stronger position to ensure better terms,” he claimed.
Under the hybrid model, India will play all of its matches in the UAE, while the remainder of the tournament will be hosted in Pakistan.
The move comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was denied permission to travel to Pakistan for the tournament from the Indian government citing security concerns.
The ICC, citing ongoing political and security challenges in Pakistan, endorsed the proposal.
The Rawalpindi Express made the revelation during an interview with a private channel.
Akhtar expressed his disappointment with the PCB’s handling of the situation.
“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.”
