Dubai, December 19, 2024: The ICC has reached a landmark agreement resolving the longstanding dispute regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy. A hybrid model has been approved, ensuring that India’s matches in ICC events hosted by Pakistan will take place at neutral venues. Similarly, Pakistan’s matches against India in ICC events hosted by India will also be played at neutral venues.
According to ESPNcricinfo, which reviewed the details of the agreement, the resolution is expected to undergo an ICC board vote. The arrangement will apply throughout the 2024–2027 event cycle, covering key tournaments such as the 2025 men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Additionally, this model could extend to the 2028 women’s T20 World Cup, the first tournament of the next cycle, awarded to Pakistan. Under the agreement, the host board will propose the neutral venue, subject to ICC approval.
To further compensate Pakistan for hosting challenges, the ICC has expressed no objections to a triangular T20I tournament featuring India, Pakistan, and another Asian Full Member nation—or even a quadrangular tournament including an Associate Member nation. These matches would also be held at neutral venues. This proposal aims to balance the hosting rights lost by Pakistan due to India’s matches being moved to neutral locations in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
