India-Pakistan Matches At ICC Events To Be Played At Neutral Venues In 2024-2027 Cycle

All India-Pakistan matches at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue.

All India-Pakistan matches at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue.

Source : PTI

The ICC Board confirmed on Thursday, December 19, that during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, all cricket matches between India and Pakistan, regardless of the host country, will be played at a neutral venue, with neither India nor Pakistan hosting these encounters.

India is set to host two major ICC tournaments over the next three years: Women's ODI World Cup in 2025 and Men's T20 World Cup in 2026, along with Asia Cup in 2025. However, Indian fans may have to wait until 2028 for India-Pakistan matches on home soil.

Also on ABP Live | 'He Was Being Humiliated': Ravichandran Ashwin's Father Reveals Shocking Reasons Behind His Retirement

India-Pakistan matches in 2026 Men's T20 World Cup is likely to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pakistan has not been able to host an ICC tournament at home for many years due to political and security issues. A significant decision from ICC is awarding Pakistan the rights to host ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply.

As the standoff between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) comes to a close, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is set to be officially confirmed soon. The tournament will feature eight teams: Australia, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and host nation Pakistan.

The Indian government had refused to grant the BCCI permission to send the cricket team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A hybrid model was suggested, where India's league matches, semifinals, and final could be played at neutral venues. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly opposed this proposal, insisting that the entire Champions Trophy 2025 be held exclusively in Pakistan, with venues like Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.

The deadlock over hosting Champions Trophy 2025 has finally been resolved. It is now confirmed that India will not play its matches in Pakistan for the tournament, meaning all the matches will be held at neutral venues.