The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ended the neutral venue debacle for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as it today announced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue for India’s matches. Decided to nominate.
The spokesperson said that the cricketing body has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the decision taken after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with UAE President 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. Didn’t 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.