A popular sports website has claimed that the ICC has resolved the long-standing impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy by approving a hybrid model.
Under this arrangement, India’s matches in the eight-team tournament, which will be hosted by Pakistan, will be played at a neutral venue. In return, in any ICC event hosted by India during the 2024-2027 cycle, Pakistan’s matches will be played at a neutral venue.
According to media reports, he has seen the details of the resolution awaiting the ICC Board’s vote. The agreement ensures that all India and Pakistan matches in the 2024-2027 event cycle follow this neutral venue rule. These include the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The policy may extend to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, which Pakistan will host as part of the next event cycle. The host board of each tournament will propose a neutral venue, which must be approved by the ICC.
Additionally, the ICC has expressed openness to a triangular T20I series involving India, Pakistan, and another Asian full member nation (or a quadrangle with an associate member). However, such a series would also need to be held at a neutral venue. The tripartite concept emerged as a possible compensation for Pakistan’s defeat in hosting India in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
‘Nothing has been decided yet’
However, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi claimed that no final decision has been taken regarding the Champions Trophy yet. He asserted that whatever happens regarding the Champions Trophy will be good for Pakistan, adding that no decision has been taken yet on the location of the Fusion model. “There will be good news soon.”
Chairman PCB said that a decision will be taken very soon regarding the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said that the ICC will announce the schedule of the Champions Trophy after all the issues are resolved.