Champions Trophy 2025 Venue Confirmed Amid Cost Concerns

The uncertainty surrounding the venue for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has finally been resolved. After months of speculation and delays, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the venues for the prestigious tournament. According to the ICC, “ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be played across Pakistan and a neutral venue.” This decision means that the Indian cricket team will play all its matches, including potential knockout games, at a neutral location rather than in Pakistan.

In a significant move, the ICC also confirmed that all India vs. Pakistan cricket matches in ICC events hosted by either country will take place at neutral venues until 2027. “India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue,” the ICC stated on December 19.

This ruling will apply to several upcoming tournaments, including the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India), and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka).

The ICC’s decision marks a significant compromise, especially for India. For the first time, the Indian cricket team will have to play Pakistan in an ICC event outside its home territory, despite being a co-host or host. This development underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions and their impact on cricketing relations between the two nations. Given India’s status as a cricket powerhouse, this arrangement might feel like a blow to national pride.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in over a decade, with encounters limited to ICC or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events. In this period, whenever Pakistan hosted an ICC or ACC event, India refused to travel and played its matches at neutral venues. The last time India toured Pakistan for a bilateral series was in 2005-06, while Pakistan last visited India for a bilateral series in 2012-13.

Also read : Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from International Cricket

In another major announcement, the ICC awarded the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 to Pakistan. “The PCB has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply. Cricket Australia is set to host one of the senior ICC women’s events during the period 2029 to 2031,” the ICC stated in its release.

As for the Champions Trophy 2025, the tournament is scheduled for February and March, with the complete schedule set to be confirmed soon. The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and hosts Pakistan. Pakistan will aim to defend the title they last won in 2017, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.