The ICC Board has confirmed that India and Pakistan matches in ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at neutral venues, regardless of which country is hosting.

This arrangement will apply to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February and March 2025 in Pakistan, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, hosted by India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has secured hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where the neutral venue policy will also be implemented.

Cricket Australia, meanwhile, is slated to host one of the senior ICC women’s events between 2029 and 2031.

The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be finalized soon, with Pakistan aiming to defend the title they clinched in 2017. The eight-team tournament will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and hosts Pakistan.

'Nothing finalised yet'

However, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had moments earlier claimed that no final decision has been made regarding the Champions Trophy yet. "Whatever happens regarding the Champions Trophy will be better for Pakistan," he said during his visit to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, adding that no decision has yet been made on the venue for the fusion model either. "There will be good news soon."

The PCB chairman said everything regarding the Champions Trophy will be decided very soon. "After all the matters are resolved, the ICC will announce the schedule of the Champions Trophy," Naqvi stated.