Following India’s “refusal” to visit Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a potential “frontrunner” to host the arch-rivals’ match with Sri Lanka among “shortlisted countries”, ESPNcricinfo reported on Saturday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this week that India will not travel to Pakistan for the eight-team tournament, the report added.

It was unclear whether the BCCI had communicated its decision orally to the ICC or whether a written communication was made with cricket’s governing body so that it could formally hand it over to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

This development indicates a possible activation of the contingency plan by the ICC and the PCB to discuss a hybrid model.

However, this would not be an easy task as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi ruled out using a hybrid model and insisted that the BCCI submit objections “in writing”.

“We have clearly said that they (the Indian cricket board) have to give it to us in writing if they have any problem,” Naqvi said a day ago, adding: “In the last few years, Pakistan has shown many good gestures. But, we hope that we are not expected to always show good gestures.”

To make it clearer, the PCB chief announced that he would consult the government after BCCI’s confirmation of his decision before finalizing a future strategy.

Besides, the PCB had also suggested last month that the Indian team be allowed to return to their country after every match to minimize the stay in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy.

India have not traveled to Pakistan since 2008 and both the historic rivals have not had any bilateral series since 2012-13.

According to ESPNcricinfovarious contingency plans had been outlined a few months ago in case the hybrid model was adopted with some countries on the list, including the UAE as a front-runner, due to its proximity to Pakistan, along with Sri Lanka.

It is important to mention here that this development is expected to result in the postponement of a schedule announcement event in Lahore next week, the report said.

A formal announcement is yet to be made by the ICC, PCB and BCCI regarding hybrid model discussions.

The prestigious ICC tournament will feature eight elite teams including India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, based on their performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Pakistan are currently the defending champions of the coveted tournament as the Men in Green, led by former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, lifted the 2017 Champions Trophy in England after defeating India in the final.