LAHORE, (TDI): India will play next year’s Champions Trophy matches at a neutral venue, as it has declined to travel to Pakistan, the tournament host and its arch-rival, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday, following weeks of negotiations.
In response, Pakistan will play in upcoming ICC tournaments hosted by India at neutral locations, which have yet to be determined.
“The ICC Board confirmed that all India-Pakistan matches at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at neutral venues,” stated the ICC. This includes the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan.
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The same arrangement will apply to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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This decision concludes a month-long standoff over the Champions Trophy, after India made it clear to the ICC that it would not send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns and political tensions. However, Pakistan played in India during the 2023 ICC World Cup.
