- Pakistan will host the remaining matches of the tournament.
- The PCB informed the ICC to finalize the neutral venue for the mega event.
- This decision was taken after the Indian government refused to allow the players to visit Pakistan.
Ending the heated and protracted debate over the debacle of a neutral venue for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today approved the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for India’s matches. Decided to name neutral venue.
The PCB spokesperson said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been informed about the decision taken after the meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan.
The issue has been circulating between the two countries for some time as the Indian government refused to allow its players to come to Pakistan for the mega event.
Now, the much-awaited Champions Trophy will be partially held in the UAE for India’s games with the rest of the matches scheduled at Pakistani venues.
Earlier, the chairman had said that a decision on the neutral venue for India’s Games in Champions Trophy 2025 would be taken today, stressing: “We will ensure that cricket is not harmed. did not arrive”.
The PCB chief’s comments come days after the ICC announced that the Champions Trophy will be held under a hybrid model, with India playing its matches at a neutral venue instead of host nation Pakistan.
A statement issued by the council said that “India-Pakistan matches will be played at a neutral venue in ICC events hosted by any country during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, ICC The Seaboard has confirmed,” a statement issued by the council said.
“This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan).”
Under the agreement, Pakistan will also play at neutral venues in future ICC tournaments hosted by India.
The agreement will extend to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 to be hosted by India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the statement added.