The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with the latest update on the hosting of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and its events in India and Pakistan during the 2024-2027 rights cycle. The update pretty much settles 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 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in February-March next year. As a result, the tournament saw a lot of twists and turns even before the start.
Read also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Host, Venues, Schedule has been cleared after BCCI-PCB settlement
Pakistan's compensation for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hybrid model announced
According to the update, matches involving India and Pakistan hosted by either country at ICC events will be played at a neutral venue. This rule will apply to events taking place between 2024 and 2027.
The decision was confirmed in the ICC board meeting on 19 December 2024. It will apply to the upcoming Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan. It will also apply to the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by India.
Pakistan will also play the T20 World Cup 2026 matches at a neutral venue under the new rule. This tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Although the UAE seems to be the most likely place to host these games, it is yet to be confirmed.
Pakistan was also awarded the hosting rights of the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 by the ICC in this board meeting. Neutral venue rules will apply here as well, despite the tournament being hosted outside of the rights cycle.
The CT 2025 schedule has not yet been announced
With India set to play all their Champions Trophy matches away from Pakistan and the PCB agreeing to it, the ICC has solved a big problem. As a result, the final schedule of the tournament is to be announced soon.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will feature a total of eight teams. The teams were 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 hosts Pakistan.
Pakistan are also the defending champions of the tournament, having won it in 2017, defeating India in the final. All the teams have confirmed their trip to Pakistan except India.
The BCCI claims that they have not received the necessary permission from the Government of India 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 as runners-up. Since then, political relations between the two nations have soured due to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The last bilateral series between the two countries was played 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.