Will India Travel To Pakistan For Champions Trophy 2025? ICC Finally Takes A Call

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that all cricket matches between India and Pakistan during the 2024-2027 period will be held at neutral venues. It also means that the Men in Blue will not be travelling to the neighbouring nation for the major tournament.

This ruling applies regardless of the tournament host, effectively delaying the possibility of bilateral matches on home turf for either nation.

India-Pakistan's Major ICC Tournaments

In the coming years, India will be hosting major tournaments that include the Women's ODI World Cup in 2025 and the Men's T20 World Cup in 2026. Similarly, the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, to be hosted by Pakistan, will also see these high-profile encounters moved to neutral locations.

Additionally, Pakistan has been awarded hosting rights for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, but the neutral venue policy will remain in effect for India-Pakistan fixtures, the ICC said.

The development comes after the Indian government refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy which is scheduled to be held in February 2025.

Upcoming ICC Tournaments

• ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025: Scheduled for February and March, featuring Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan.
• ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Hosted by India, with neutral venues for matches involving Pakistan.
• ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
• ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2028: Hosted by Pakistan under the neutral venue policy.

Expanding Women's Cricket

The ICC also announced that Cricket Australia will host one of the senior women's ICC events between 2029 and 2031, further emphasizing its efforts to grow the women's game.
Neutral Venues Continue Amid Political Tensions

While cricket fans eagerly anticipate these iconic India-Pakistan showdowns, the decision underscores the impact of ongoing political differences, keeping one of the sport's greatest rivalries away from the home crowds of both nations.