The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given the latest update on the holding of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and its events in India and Pakistan during the 2024-2027 rights cycle. The update virtually resolves the debate over both countries’ hosting rights for the next three years.
Last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in February-March next year. As a result, the tournament has taken many twists and turns even before the start.
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According to the update, matches involving India and Pakistan hosted by either country in ICC events will be played at a neutral venue. This rule will apply to events taking place during 2024-2027.
The decision was confirmed at the ICC board meeting on December 19, 2024. It will apply to the next Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan. It will also apply to the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, which will take place in India.
Pakistan will also play the 2026 T20 World Cup matches at a neutral venue as per the new rule. This tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. While the United Arab Emirates appears to be the most likely location to host these games, it is not yet confirmed.
In this board meeting, the ICC also awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup. The rules regarding neutral venues will also apply here despite the tournament being held outside the rights cycle.
CT 2025 schedule has yet to be announced
With India set to play all its Champions Trophy matches outside Pakistan and the PCB agreeing to it, the ICC has solved a big problem. As a result, the final tournament schedule will be announced soon.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will have a total of eight teams. The teams have been divided into two groups of four teams each. The participating teams in the tournament are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa, and the host Pakistan.
Pakistan is also the defending champion of the tournament, having won it in 2017 by defeating India in the final. All teams have confirmed their trip to Pakistan except India.
The BCCI claims that they did not obtain the necessary permission from the Indian government to send their team to Pakistan.
India’s last visit to Pakistan
India last traveled to Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup, where they finished runners-up. Since then, political relations between the two nations have gone from bad to worse due to the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
The last bilateral series between the two countries was played back in 2013, when Pakistan traveled to India for two T20Is and three ODIs. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s last visit to India was during the 2023 ODI World Cup.