ISLAMABAD: All eyes are on neutral venues and the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be played in Pakistan after arch-rivals Pakistan and India have agreed on a hybrid model for the mini World Cup and other ICC events.
A debate is underway regarding the venues and schedule of the mega event as Lahore is to host various matches of the event as preparations are underway to upgrade cricket stadiums for the mega tournament.
Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi believed that the renovation and upgradation of stadiums would be completed well ahead of the tournament.
“Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure the stadiums meet international standards.”
According to the PBC, the renovation works at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, National Stadium, Karachi, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium are also underway.
PCB, ICC and Neutral Venue
There are no final words from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the ICC over the selection of a neutral venue to host Pakistan and India matches during the Champions Trophy. However, this is not the first time that the cricket venue has been altered due to the stubbornness of India.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, but India played all their games in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model”, according to media reports.
اسلام آباد۔ چئیرمین پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ محسن نقوی کی زیر صدارت گورننگ بورڈ کا 76 واں اجلاس
اجلاس میں گورننگ بورڈ کے گزشتہ اجلاس کے فیصلوں کی توثیق کی گئی
اجلاس کو آئی سی سی چیمپئنز ٹرافی ٹورنامنٹ پر اب تک کی پیش رفت سے
آگاہ کیا گیاگورننگ بورڈ کو قذافی سٹیڈیم ۔ نیشنل سٹیڈیم اور… pic.twitter.com/mGYt9vt4Fz
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) December 19, 2024
For many years, India has barred the cricket team from travelling to Pakistan as New Delhi exploits cricket for political gains. India has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, and the arch-rivals play each other only at multi-team contests.
The two sides last played a bilateral series in December 2012 and January 2013 when Pakistan visited India for a white ball series. India last travelled to Pakistan for a bilateral commitment in 2006.
Pakistan travelled to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup in October and November 2023 and played all its matches there.
ICC and PCB on Trophy Schedule
However, in a press release, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said that the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be confirmed soon.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday that ICC Men’s 2025 Champions Trophy will be held under a hybrid model, with India set to play their matches at a neutral venue rather than in the host country.
According to the ICC website, the cricket body board confirmed that India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue.
Changes confirmed for next year’s Champions Trophy tournament and future ICC events this cycle.https://t.co/UJ4S9XxUeF
— ICC (@ICC) December 20, 2024
This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), set to be played in February and March 2025, as well as 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 said.
It was also announced that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply.
The eight-team event will feature Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Australia, India, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, alongside hosts Pakistan.
In a press release, PCB said that Chairman PCB reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to successfully hosting the event.
Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the PCB was fully prepared for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy, and all preparations were well on track.
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He said that Pakistan’s principled stance has been widely lauded, and they will leave no stone unturned in preserving the prestige of the mega event.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since it shared the 1996 World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.
