The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that India’s matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a neutral venue. This decision is part of a broader agreement by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure that all bilateral matches between India and Pakistan during ICC events from 2024 to 2027 will be played at neutral venues, regardless of which country hosts the tournament.
The decision came after high-level discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The PCB has officially notified the ICC of the arrangement, ending months of speculation about India’s participation in the tournament.
While Pakistan will host the majority of the matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India’s games will be held in UAE venues as part of the ICC’s hybrid hosting model. The arrangement addresses the Indian government’s ongoing refusal to allow its players to travel to Pakistan for international cricket events.
The ICC’s hybrid model not only applies to the Champions Trophy 2025 but also sets a precedent for future ICC events. Under the agreement, Pakistan will also play at neutral venues during ICC tournaments hosted by India.
This includes:
- ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, hosted by India
- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the decision ensures cricket is not impacted by political tensions. “We will ensure cricket does not suffer,” he stated.
The hybrid hosting arrangement offers a pragmatic solution for managing ICC tournaments involving India and Pakistan. By splitting matches across neutral venues, the ICC aims to maintain tournament integrity while addressing logistical and political challenges.