The deadlock over the hosting model of the Champions Trophy 2025 was broken last week, with an agreement between the ICC, PCB and BCCI that the marquee India versus Pakistan matches in global events will be played at neutral venues till 2027.
After months of uncertainty, the United Arab Emirates has been chosen as the neutral venue for the upcoming Champions Trophy where India’s matches will take place.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the decision was finalised after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met senior UAE minister and head of Emirates Cricket Board Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak in Pakistan.
“The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir was quoted by the website as saying.
While the ICC is yet to announce the complete fixtures, the report claims that the India-Pakistan league match will be played on February 23. Besides Pakistan, the other two teams in India's group are Bangladesh and New Zealand. The Men in Blue will face Bangladesh and New Zealand on February 20 and March 2, respectively. Dubai International Cricket Stadium is likely to host all these games.
Pakistan, the defending champions, will kick off their campaign on February 19 against the Kiwis in Karachi. The tournament hosts will play their last league match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.
Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa are part of the second group. Barring the India games, the matches for both groups will be played across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
The two semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 (without a reserve day) and March 5 (with a reserve day). The title clash on March 9 also has a reserve day.
The first semi-final, if India make it to that stage, will be held in the UAE. If India fail to qualify, the final-four clash will take place in Pakistan. The final is due to be held in Lahore, with the provision of staging it in the UAE if India make it that far.
Apart from the Champions Trophy, the ICC has adopted a hybrid model for global events in India till 2027, which means Pakistan will also be able to play their mega events matches at a neutral venue.
"This will apply to the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (India) and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka)," the ICC had said in its statement.
