The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with the latest update regarding the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and its events in India and Pakistan during the 2024-2027 rights cycle. The update resolves the controversy over hosting rights for both countries for the next three years.
Last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Cricket Trophy, scheduled to be held in February-March next year. As a result, the tournament witnessed many twists and turns even before its start.
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Hybrid model announced for Pakistan's compensation for 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
As per the update, matches involving India and Pakistan hosted by either country in ICC events will be played at a neutral venue. This rule applies to events occurring during the period 2024-2027.
The decision was confirmed at the ICC Board meeting on December 19, 2024. It will be applied to the upcoming Champions Trophy to be hosted by Pakistan. It will also apply to the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by India.
Pakistan will also play their 2026 T20 World Cup matches at a neutral venue as per the new rule. This tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. While the UAE appears to be the most likely location to host these Games, this has not yet been confirmed.
Pakistan was also awarded the hosting rights for the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup by the ICC in this board meeting. Rules regarding neutral venues will also apply here despite the tournament being hosted outside the rights tournament.
The schedule for CT 2025 has not yet been announced
With India set to play all their Champions Trophy matches outside Pakistan and the PCB agreeing to do so, the ICC has settled a major issue. As a result, the final table The tournament is scheduled to be announced soon.
The 2025 Champions Cup will feature eight difference. The teams were divided into two groups of four teams each. The teams participating in the tournament are Afghanistan, AustraliaBangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and host Pakistan.
Pakistan are also the defending champions of the tournament having won it again in 2017 by defeating India in the final. All teams have confirmed their travel to Pakistan except India.
The BCCI claims that it did not obtain the required permission from the Indian government to send its team to Pakistan.
India's recent visit to Pakistan
India last traveled to Pakistan in 2008 to participate in the Asia Cup where they finished second. Since then, political relations between the two countries have deteriorated from bad to worse due to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
The last duo series The match between the two countries was played in 2013 when Pakistan traveled to India for two T20Is and three ODIs. Meanwhile, Pakistan's last visit to India was during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
