The International Cricket Council (ICC) may have inadvertently revealed the location of the highly anticipated Pakistan-India match in the Champions Trophy after meeting with the tournament broadcasters.
ICC has reportedly reassured broadcasters that the match will take place in Dubai. However, lingering disagreements over the “Partnership or Fusion Formula” have yet to be fully resolved, though there remains hope for a favorable resolution.
Although no official decision has been announced, BCCI and PCB are likely on the verge of solving their differences regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy. Reports suggest that Mohsin Naqvi has already met with ICC Chief Jay Shah, and an online board meeting is expected on Saturday to address the unresolved matters.
The ICC Broadcast Workshop held in Dubai also did not feature representatives from Pakistan’s state television. According to sources, ICC officials affirmed that the Pakistan and India match in the Champions Trophy will indeed be hosted in Dubai, quelling earlier concerns.
The tournament schedule, however, is still pending finalization. A meeting was scheduled for yesterday, which saw Naqvi’s attendance, but issues surrounding the “Partnership or Fusion Formula” between Pakistan and India remain unresolved. This formula proposes that all Pakistan-India fixtures in ICC events over the next three years will take place in Dubai, regardless of the host nation.
Indian media reports indicate that a vote on the matter might not be necessary, as India is likely to play all its group-stage matches in the UAE. If India advances to the semi-finals and final, those matches will also be held in Dubai. On the other hand, Pakistan has expressed its desire for a similar arrangement for ICC events held in India, where matches between the two teams would be played at neutral venues.