All India-Pakistan matches until 2028 at neutral venues, including Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on December 19 that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be conducted in a hybrid model.
That will see India’s matches in the eight-team event taking place at a neutral venue. In a statement released by the ICC, it confirmed: “India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue,” as reported by India Today last week. This will mean that Pakistan will not travel to India for their matches during the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
The tournament, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan, faced uncertainty due to India’s refusal to travel to the host nation. The ICC reiterated in its statement: “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 statement also announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been awarded the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply. Additionally, Cricket Australia is set to host one of the senior ICC women’s events during the 2029-2031 cycle. “It was also announced that the PCB has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply.”
- Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan, India matches at neutral venue
- The 50-over tournament will be played in February-March in 2025
- The hybrid model rule will apply for all ICC tournaments hosted by India and Pakistan in 2024-27 cycle
- Pakistan will not travel to India for Women’s World Cup in 2025 and T20 World Cup in 2026
- Pakistan have been awarded the hosting rights for Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028
- As India Today reported, no compensation for Pakistan for losing a part of Champions Trophy hosting rights
Schedule for ICC Champions Trophy will be confirmed soon
The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be confirmed soon, with Pakistan aiming to defend the title they won in 2017. The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts Pakistan.
“Cricket Australia is set to host one of the senior ICC women’s events during the period 2029 to 2031.The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be confirmed soon, with Pakistan aiming to defend the title they won in 2017. The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts Pakistan,” the statement added.