"Pakistan is not losing money" - Aakash Chopra on Champions Trophy 2025 being played in Hybrid Model
Aakash Chopra reckons Pakistan will not suffer financially because of the Champions Trophy 2025 being played in the Hybrid Model. He feels that the final decision made also implies that Pakistan haven't lost face despite agreeing to host the India matches in a third country.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently confirmed that next year's Champions Trophy will be played in the Hybrid Model, with India not traveling to Pakistan. However, they also mentioned that a similar agreement will be in place for all ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, with Pakistan's matches in all tournaments hosted by India being played at a neutral venue.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener opined that Pakistan got a fair deal from the ICC.
"Pakistan is not losing money. In fact, in this arrangement, Pakistan hasn't even lost its face. No matter how much they might have talked against the Hybrid Model, they had ultimately agreed, but they have also not walked away empty-handed," he said (2:40).
"It's now almost confirmed that it will be tit for tat. All matches till 2027 will be in the Hybrid Model. If India are not going to Pakistan, Pakistan will also not come to India and play against India. Pakistan will play their matches in a third country," Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Pakistan have also been allotted the 2028 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. However, he added that India are unlikely to travel for that event as well and it too might be held in the Hybrid Model.
"There will be a slight tourism loss" - Aakash Chopra on the impact of the Hybrid Model on Pakistan
![The 2023 Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan was also played in the Hybrid Model. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/89419-17346733891567-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Pakistan might lose some tourism money.
"There is no money lost because they will get an extra $4.50 million as they will have to spend a little more while hosting it in a third country. They were being given ₹600 crore and will now get $4.50 million more. Of course, there will be a slight tourism loss because a lot of people used to travel for India-Pakistan engagements," he said (3:25).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the potential reduction in number of spectators at the ground will also not hurt Pakistan financially.
"It could be a financial loss because of that but there is no direct loss because the gate-receipt money doesn't go to the home nation in ICC events in any case. It's also been decided that Pakistan will not come to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Sri Lanka are the co-hosts," Chopra explained.
Chopra opined that the Champions Trophy 2025 will likely be played in the ODI format only. He added that it implies that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be seen representing India in the tournament.