It seems the neighbours have finally come to peace as the longstanding saga regarding the ICC Champions Trophy is likely to find a solution soon.

India and Pakistan - the two avidly rival countries have been at loggerheads regarding the hosting of the Champions Trophy. India, through BCCI, clearly stated their unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for security reasons.

Pakistan were adamant at first for India to come - from pleading to threatening, they did it all. Then their ex-players started to blabber about quitting from the Champions Trophy itself. But it seems that sanity has finally arrived as Pakistan have reportedly agreed to a Hybrid Tournament model.

With this, the Indian team will be playing all their matches in Dubai - and if India qualifies for the Final, the championship clash will also move to UAE.

This development marks a significant compromise in the ongoing tug-of-war between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over hosting rights. Although it may seem a compromise for both, a closer analysis reveals that India has emerged as the clear winner in this hosting battle, reinforcing its dominance in international cricket politics.

Why are Pakistan thinking it is a Win for Them?

Pakistani media was flexing their muscles and demanding India to come to their country. But now, their sole silver lining is that 'We will also not go to India'.

Pakistan will not travel to India for their league-stage game in the T20 World Cup 2026, which will instead take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The PCB and the Pakistani media are portraying it as a major win for themselves, which clearly is a gigantic over-exaggeration.

Champions Trophy 2025 Saga: India is the clear Winner in this Tug of War

If we are to dissect this ICC verdict, India is the only winner in this battle against Pakistan. India's strategic positioning in global cricket governance has been evident throughout this saga. Here's why the BCCI has outmanoeuvred the PCB:

Neutral Venue for Key Matches: By pushing for Dubai as alternate venue for the Champions Trophy, India has effectively limited Pakistan's ability to fully capitalize on its hosting rights. This move ensures that India avoids travelling to Pakistan amid the security breaches on the other side of the border. BCCI always demanded the Hybrid Model and achieving that is a major coup.

Diplomatic Leverage: The BCCI's influence within the ICC has played a pivotal role in shaping the hybrid model. But even without that, the security issue for India meant ICC had to come to terms with it. Pakistan's decision not to play in India will impose a bigger financial blow to PCB, rather than BCCI. Hence it is a financial self-infliction from Pakistan.

Precedent Setting: By agreeing to the hybrid model, the ICC has set a precedent that could impact future tournaments. This arrangement validates India's stance and could weaken Pakistan's position in future hosting disputes until they sort their internal issues.

The upcoming ICC tournaments scheduled either in India or Pakistan shall witness both teams playing in neutral countries - if this practice remains viable, it won't be the worst thing in the world. PCB and BCCI can rest with their own version of victories, but cricket, which needs to continue, has prevailed. The fans, who eagerly wait for the two nations to clash, shall see India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy - which is a relief.