Major breakthrough for ICC as neutral venues to play host to all India-Pakistan matches till 2027

The uncertainty surrounding the fate of Champions Trophy 2025 continues to loom large. With less than two months to go, the fate of the marquee event remains vastly unknown. The entire tournament was originally planned to be held in Pakistan but India's refusal to send its national side to the neighboring country has created numerous complications for the apex body. Both BCCI and the PCB are reportedly at loggerheads and unwilling to make any concessions on their part.

The major source of contention currently revolves around finalizing the venues. But in recent times, ICC has managed to make some notable progress in resolving this ongoing dispute between the two major cricketing bodies. In a bid to break the deadlock once and for all, ICC has confirmed on Thursday that the matches between India and Pakistan will be scheduled in a neutral venue till 2027 which also included the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

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Major announcement on IND-PAK matches

In a recent statement published by the executive Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body confirmed the acceptance of a "two-way" hybrid model for India-Pakistan matches. In other words, the proposal implies that India will not travel to Pakistan and rather play it's matches in a neutral venue whereas Paksitan will also have the same arrangement in place and play all it's matches against India in a neutral venue. 

"India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country as part of the ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed on Thursday." 

The agreement will remain in place till 2027 and will automatically 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).

In addition, Pakistan will also be awarded the hosting rights of the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 and arrangements to pursue neautral venues will be explored accordingly. Experts speculate that Dubai can be seen as an ideal venue to host India's matches in the upcoming Champions Trophy edition.

ICC to communicate Champions Trophy schedule shortly

After successfully forging a deal between two ideologically opposed cricketing bodies, ICC is now working around the clock to finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025. They are in a race against time and are under immense pressure from the broadcasters who are demanding for an official schedule to be finalized at the earliest convinience. The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan.