The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025 will be held in Pakistan and at a different venue, as announced by the cricket organization on Thursday. This important decision is part of the arrangement for ICC events from 2024 to 2027. It states that any matches between India and Pakistan during this time will be played at neutral locations.
The idea is to avoid issues related to travel and safety. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that they won’t play in Pakistan due to safety concerns. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has pointed out that they allowed Indian teams to play in India during the 2023 World Cup, suggesting that the Indian board should do the same now.
The neutral venue plan aims to make things easier and safer for players and fans, especially because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy will include eight top teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan. It is scheduled to take place in February and March of next year. Pakistan is the defending champion after winning the tournament against India in 2017.
This will be the first time the Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan since it started in 1998. Besides the men’s tournament, Pakistan will also host the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, with neutral venues for India-Pakistan matches in that event as well.
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