The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has officially confirmed that matches between India and Pakistan at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be hosted at neutral venues. This decision ensures that neither country will travel to the other for these high-stakes encounters.
Key Updates on ICC Events
ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first event to fall under the agreement. Scheduled for February and March 2025 and hosted by Pakistan, the tournament will see India-Pakistan matches played at a neutral venue.
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: The tournament hosted by India will see the India-Pakistan matches also being played at a neutral venue.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the India-Pakistan matches will adhere to the neutral venue arrangement.
Future Events: Pakistan has been awarded hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which will also follow the neutral venue rule.
Champions Trophy 2025: Title Defense in Focus
With a formal announcement of the agreement between PCB and the BCCI, the resolution to the 2025 Champions Trophy logjam should be close.
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams:
| Team | Qualification Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Qualified |
| Australia | Qualified |
| Bangladesh | Qualified |
| England | Qualified |
| India | Qualified |
| New Zealand | Qualified |
| South Africa | Qualified |
| Pakistan (Hosts) | Qualified |
Pakistan, the defending champions from their 2017 triumph, will look to capitalize on home advantage as they prepare to host this prestigious tournament.
Memorable India-Pakistan Rivalries
The last encounter between India and Pakistan at an ICC men’s event occurred at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York with India emerging as victors in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.
The official schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be announced soon, setting the stage for another thrilling chapter in cricket’s storied history.
