Champions Trophy 2025, India vs PakistanThe row over hosting the Champions Trophy finally ended on Thursday when the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that India will play its matches in the 50-over tournament at a neutral venue instead of host country Pakistan. The same system will be applicable for Pakistan till 2027 and it will play the tournaments held in India at neutral venues. This agreement will also be applicable to the Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in Pakistan in 2028. Although no formal announcement has been made yet, India’s Champions Trophy match is likely to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The ICC statement confirms the news given by PTI on December 5. According to the ICC, “The ICC Board has approved that all matches played between India and Pakistan in ICC tournaments during the current cycle from 2024 to 2027 (which are to be hosted in India or Pakistan) will be played by the proposed tournament host. “Will be played at a neutral venue.”
This arrangement will be applicable in the Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), the Women’s Cricket World Cup to be held in India next year and the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy to be held in February-March due to security concerns. Indian players have not played a match in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 150 people were killed. The last bilateral tournament between the two countries took place in 2012.
Traveling to Pakistan also requires the approval of the Indian government, which is firm on its decision. The ICC said, “The schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be announced soon.” The decision was expected as the sport’s governing body had long maintained silence on the controversial matter during the leadership of president Greg Barkley.
Jai Shah took charge on December 1 after his tenure ended. With all the stakeholders including Pakistan Cricket Board, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcasters running out of time to organize the 50-over tournament, a decision was necessary. Last time this tournament was played in Britain in 2017.
BCCI’s stand has always been clear but the matter dragged on due to PCB’s refusal to allow ‘unilateral’ arrangement of neutral venues. The PCB, under the leadership of Pakistan Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, did not want to lose its prestige in front of the local public. PCB had sent its team to India for the ODI World Cup last year. He had clearly opposed the ‘hybrid model’ but eventually agreed to it on mutual grounds.
The PCB had earlier indicated that it wanted a greater share in the annual revenue cycle to meet Indian demand for a ‘hybrid model’ but there is no information yet on whether this has been discussed or agreed to. . There will be eight teams in the tournament which will be divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will reach the semi-finals.
However, it is not clear in which country India will play under the hybrid model. Nor has ICC said anything on this. But according to Cricbuzz report, there is uncertainty regarding which country will be the neutral country for the Champions Trophy – UAE or Sri Lanka. While the PCB, the designated host of the eight-team championship, is in favor of Sri Lanka, logistical convenience may ultimately tilt the decision towards the UAE. ICC said that the final schedule will be announced soon.
If the decision goes in favor of UAE then Dubai will host the India-Pakistan match. It is believed that the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is waiting for the final approval from the ICC and PCB. There are also grounds in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah but ECB officials say that if they are allotted Champions Trophy matches, then considering the size of the venue, the big India-Pakistan clash will be held in Dubai. UAE is expected to host 10 out of 15 matches, which includes three Indian League matches and two knockout matches.
