Champions Trophy 2025: Why BCCI is unlikely to accept PCB's 'partnership' or 'fusion formula'

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently proposed a ‘partnership formula’ or ‘fusion formula,’ a rebranded hybrid model, to address hosting concerns for the Champions Trophy 2025. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly reluctant to accept the plan. read more

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has attempted a clever move by proposing a rebranded hybrid model under the names ‘Partnership Formula’ or ‘Fusion Formula,’ the chances of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accepting this newly proposed solution for the Champions Trophy 2025 remain slim. The Hybrid Model, where the Indian cricket team plays its Champions Trophy 2025 matches in a neutral venue, was seen as the most logical solution to the standoff that has taken place since BCCI communicated International Cricket Council (ICC) that its team will not feature in a tournament in Pakistan due to security issues.

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However, Pakistan is doing everything possible to not share the hosting rights with another country this time unlike in 2023 when Sri Lanka hosted India’s matches under the hybrid model during the Asia Cup. However, the increasing pressure from the broadcasters on the ICC has left the global body with few options and they have asked the PCB to accept the hybrid model.

In response, the Pakistan board has proposed a fusion formula in which India vs Pakistan matches of the ICC events till 2026 should be played at a neutral venue, Dubai in UAE to be specific, as per Pakistani media.

Pakistan says its teams will not travel to India for the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. This, however, is not acceptable to India and they are unlikely to agree to any such agreement.

Why BCCI is against PCB’s fusion Formula?

The BCCI has always maintained that Team India cannot travel to Pakistan due to security issues. They, however, feel that the Pakistan cricket team has no security threat in India and hence they won’t agree to a fusion formula, a report in the Indian Express said. The BCCI’s claims have been strengthened by the fact that the Indian government recently did not allow its blind team also to travel to Pakistan for the T20 World Cup due to security reasons.

In such a scenario, it’s quite possible that ICC may call another emergency meeting where board members could be forced to vote on possible solutions to reach a final conclusion. And the final solution could also see Pakistan losing the hosting rights if they do not accept the hybrid model as broadcasters won’t be paying big bucks for a cricket tournament that does not have India.

This has put BCCI in a strong position as compared to PCB and all eyes are on ICC and its ability to quickly solve the issue.

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