Champions Trophy 2025: Venue for India vs Pakistan Match Resolved?

A historic agreement for the 2025 Champions Trophy has resolved the long-running dispute between India and Pakistan about hosting ICC games. 

India's matches in the eight-team competition will take place in a neutral location under a hybrid concept approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In return, a neutral venue will be used for Pakistan's games at Indian-hosted events.

India Vs Pakistan Matches at Nuetral Ground

ESPNcricinfo reports that the ICC Board is anticipated to vote to approve the accord. According to the agreement, all Indian matches in events hosted by Pakistan shall take place at neutral locations during the 2024–2027 event cycle. In a similar vein, all Pakistani matches in Indian-hosted competitions will be played at neutral locations. 

This arrangement is applicable to a number of forthcoming big ICC events, such as the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host, the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup in India, and the 2025 Men's Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

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Neutral Locations Decided by Host Nations

The 2028 Women's T20 World Cup, the opening competition of the upcoming cycle, which has already been given to Pakistan, may also be covered by the agreement.

The ICC must approve the neutral locations, which will be suggested by the board of the host nation. This new concept seeks to avoid the geopolitical sensitivities between the two countries that have frequently impeded direct bilateral interactions while ensuring the seamless operation of tournaments.

India Pakistan Cricket Series Might Restart

The ICC has no objection to hosting a T20I triangular series featuring India, Pakistan, and another Asian Full Member nation. It could even become a quadrangular tournament by including an Associate Asian nation. It is believed that this proposed series will make up for Pakistan's loss of hosting India's 2025 Champions Trophy matches.

The tournament program has not yet been announced because of the continuous uncertainty surrounding the venues, even though the 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to start on February 19.

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