In a significant turn of events regarding the Champions Trophy 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday that the tournament will be conducted in a hybrid format, taking place in Pakistan and at a neutral venue. The global governing body for cricket indicated that during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, all matches between India and Pakistan hosted by either nation will occur at a neutral site. Nevertheless, the ICC has yet to disclose the highly anticipated official schedule for the tournament, which is set to unfold in February and March of the upcoming year. This hybrid model will also encompass the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the Women’s Cricket World Cup in India next year, and the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
India previously opted not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing concerns regarding security. The Indian cricket team has not competed in Pakistan since the tragic Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Although Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, India, the eventual winners, played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a ‘hybrid model’ arrangement. Conversely, Pakistan participated in the 2023 ICC World Cup held in India. The ICC Board has announced that all matches between India and Pakistan during ICC Events in the current rights cycle from 2024 to 2027, which will take place in either India or Pakistan, will be conducted at a neutral venue designated by the tournament host. Furthermore, the ICC has indicated that the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be finalized shortly, with the eight-team tournament set to include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa, in addition to the host nation, Pakistan.
