Dubai: After more than a month of intense negotiations, a breakthrough to resolve the long-standing impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy venue dispute appears imminent.
Reports suggest that the International Cricket Council (ICC), alongside the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has reached a consensus on a hybrid model designed to address the issue of hosting India’s matches in Pakistan.
Under the proposed agreement, India’s matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan, will take place at a neutral venue. In return, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India will also be played at neutral venues.
The resolution, expected to be confirmed soon following discussions at the ICC board level, covers several high-profile ICC events. This includes 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. The 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for Pakistan, may also be impacted by the new hybrid model.
As part of the agreement, the host country will propose a neutral venue for these matches, subject to ICC approval. This compromise aims to overcome the diplomatic and logistical challenges that have long delayed the scheduling of India-Pakistan encounters in ICC tournaments.
In a related development, the ICC has voiced its support for a potential triangular T20I series involving India, Pakistan, and another Asian Full Member nation or possibly an Associate Asian nation. However, the series would only take place at a neutral venue, compensating Pakistan for not being able to host India’s games in next year’s Champions Trophy.
The breakthrough is expected to be officially announced soon, marking a positive resolution to what has been a prolonged and contentious debate.
The hybrid model not only addresses the immediate venue issue for the 2025 Champions Trophy but also sets a precedent for managing future disputes between the two nations in ICC events. The ICC’s decision is seen as a step towards smoother organisation of international cricket tournaments, despite the ongoing political complexities between India and Pakistan.
UNI
