Srinagar: After ending the logjam between India and Pakistan over champions Trophy 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced that all India’s matches would be held at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, the designated host for the tournament. In turn Pakistan will also play all its ICC tournament matches against India on neutral turf until 2028.
Regarded as the major decision since former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah took over as ICC chair, the hybrid model is expected to prevent any deadlock ahead of major events over the next few years as the model applies all events until 2028.
“This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), set to be played in February and March 2025, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka),” The Indian Express quoted the world body.
“It was also announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply,” it added.
Although the ICC did not specify the location for India’s Champions Trophy matches, the BCCI has indicated the UAE as its preferred neutral venue. The final decision will rest with the tournament host, subject to ICC approval. Matches involving India in the semi-finals or final, should the team progress, will also be played at a neutral venue.
The Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, had been at the centre of a row due to a stalemate over this issue. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially opposed the hybrid model, it eventually accepted it on a reciprocal basis.
India declined to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. The PCB had challenged this stance, noting that other major cricketing nations had recently toured Pakistan without incident. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has played a key role in these discussions.
Last month, Pakistan referenced an ICC board letter circulated in October, which stated that no objections had been raised regarding the Champions Trophy itinerary. However, the BCCI formally expressed its reservations about traveling to Pakistan shortly thereafter.
India last played in Pakistan in 2008, and bilateral cricketing ties have remained suspended since 2013. While Pakistan visited India for the 50-over World Cup last year, India’s Asia Cup matches were played in Sri Lanka, underscoring the strained relations between the two neighbours.
India has been grouped with defending champions Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand in Group A for the Champions Trophy. Group B consists of Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. Notably, this will be the first ICC tournament hosted in Pakistan since 1996.
For the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s matches could be held in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model. The tournament schedule for the Champions Trophy will be released at a later date.
