ICC Champions Trophy will return in 2025 after a eight-year gap. The International Cricket Council has allotted the hosting rights of the mega event to Pakistan. However, with the Indian cricket team qualifying for the mega event, there is a high chance of the tournament being moved out of Pakistan.
The bilateral relations between India and Pakistan are not the best. Due to that, Asia Cup 2023 was played in Sri Lanka as well. A hybrid model can be adopted for the Champions Trophy 2025 as well, with Pakistan hosting its own group matches, and the semifinals and final happening in another country.
Here’s a list of three nations which can host Champions Trophy in two years’ time if Pakistan does not remain the sole host.
1. Bangladesh can host Champions Trophy 2025
Bangladesh is a cricket crazy nation, but it has been a long time since the Asian country hosted a mega event. The last big tournament to happen in Bangladesh was Asia Cup 2016, while the last ICC event in Bangladesh was ICC T20 World Cup 2014. Since Bangladesh have qualified for Champions Trophy, they can be considered as a host.
2. UAE
United Arab Emirates has always been the go-to option for the cricket boards when they want a neutral venue. India shifted the Asia Cup 2018 and T20 World Cup 2021 to UAE, while Sri Lanka moved Asia Cup 2022 to UAE. Pakistan can follow the same route and move the tournament to UAE, where the revenue will go to PCB.
3. Saudi Arabia
A wildcard option for this race is Saudi Arabia. The Gulf nation has been making heavy investments in cricket. It can be a major source of income for the PCB if they move the Champions Trophy to Saudi Arabia. Also, it will boost the tourism to the Gulf country, which the nation’s officials want.
