NEW DELHI: In a decisive development in the Champions Trophy 2025 deadlock, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday confirmed that the tournament, scheduled for next year, will be played in a hybrid model across Pakistan and at a neutral venue.
The cricket’s global governing body said that in the 2024-2027 rights cycle, all the India vs Pakistan matches hosted by either country will be played at a neutral venue.
However, the ICC did not reveal the much-awaited official schedule for the tournament that will take place in February-March next year.
The hybrid model arrangement will cover the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, next year’s Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
India had earlier declined to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing security concerns.
The Indian team has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but winners India played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a ‘hybrid model’.
Pakistan did, however, play in India during the 2023 ICC World Cup hosted there.
“The ICC Board has approved that all matches between India and Pakistan played at ICC Events during the current rights cycle from 2024 to 2027 (which are to be hosted in India or Pakistan) will be played at a neutral venue proposed by the tournament host,” said the ICC in a statement.
“The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be confirmed soon,” the ICC stated.
The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts Pakistan.