While the Champions Trophy is set to be held between February 19 and March 9, the schedule had not been announced due to the impasse over this issue. The PCB had categorically opposed the hybrid model but eventually agreed to it on reciprocal grounds.
India vs Pakistan ICC events will be held in neutral venues until 2028. (PTI)
After much delay, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced that India’s matches at next year’s Champions Trophy would be held at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, the designated host for the tournament. As part of the solution, Pakistan will also not visit India for any ICC tournament until 2028, with its matches scheduled on neutral turf instead.
While the Champions Trophy is set to be held between February 19 and March 9, the schedule had not been announced due to the impasse over this issue. The PCB had categorically opposed the hybrid model but eventually agreed to it on reciprocal grounds.
This is the first major decision since former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah took over as ICC chair. This hybrid model, for all events until 2028, is expected to prevent any logjam ahead of major events over the next few years
“It was also announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply,” it said.
The statement did not mention where India’s Champions Trophy matches would be played, but the BCCI has mentioned the UAE as the preferred venue. The choice of neutral venue will be made by the tournament host and will need to be approved by the ICC.
Explained
Terror shadow
The schedule for the tournament will be released in due course, the ICC said. If India reaches the semifinals or final of the tournament, those games will also be held at a neutral venue.
Advertisement
India had insisted on not going to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. Pakistan had asked for the reasons in writing, arguing that every other major cricketing team has toured the country over the last few years and there have been no security concerns. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Last month, Pakistan had quoted a letter circulated by the ICC board among its members in October, which mentioned that no country had objected to the Champions Trophy itinerary. However, within a fortnight of that letter, the BCCI informed the ICC about its reservations on travelling to Pakistan.
India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. While Pakistan came to India for the 50-over World Cup last year, India played the Asia Cup matches in Sri Lanka. Amid strained ties, the two countries haven’t held a bilateral series since 2013, only playing at multi-team events.
India have been placed in Group A for the Champions Trophy with defending champions Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand, while Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan make up Group B. This will be the first ICC tournament in Pakistan since 1996.
