India will compete in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy matches at neutral venues after declining to travel to host nation Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday, ending weeks of negotiations.
As per an IANS report, India and Pakistan are set to face off on February 23, 2025, with Colombo or Dubai likely to host the marquee clash. Sources stated, “India will take on Pakistan at a neutral venue on February 23, 2025. ICC looking at Colombo and Dubai to host their matches.”
The Champions Trophy, slated for February and March 2025, will see its schedule finalized in the coming days, the ICC said. The decision follows India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to political and security concerns, concluding a prolonged deadlock.
Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opposed the hybrid model but later agreed to neutral venues for both nations in ICC tournaments. The ICC reiterated in its statement, “India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue,” confirming this arrangement for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The deal also extends to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, hosted by India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, the defending Champions Trophy winners from 2017, secured the title by defeating India by 180 runs in the final at The Oval.
Given strained political ties, India and Pakistan only meet in international tournaments like the World Cups and the Asia Cup. Their last bilateral series took place in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a five-match white-ball series.
