The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a landmark decision regarding matches between India and Pakistan at ICC tournaments during the ongoing rights cycle from 2024 to 2027. In an announcement today, the ICC Board approved that all India-Pakistan matches in ICC events hosted by either nation will be played at a neutral venue proposed by the respective tournament host. This decision is aimed at addressing logistical and security concerns while ensuring the continuity of cricket’s most anticipated rivalry.
The policy will apply to several marquee tournaments, including the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan. Similarly, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will also adopt neutral venue arrangements for India-Pakistan encounters.
In a significant boost for Pakistan cricket, the ICC has also awarded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028. The neutral venue arrangement will extend to this tournament as well, ensuring the seamless organization of matches while accommodating cross-border dynamics. This marks a major step for Pakistan, reinforcing its standing as a host for major international cricket events.
Additionally, Cricket Australia has been granted hosting rights for one of the ICC Women’s senior events scheduled between 2029 and 2031, highlighting the ICC’s long-term vision for promoting women’s cricket globally.
The ICC also announced that the detailed match schedule for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, where Pakistan will defend their title as the reigning champions, will be revealed in the coming days. This will provide clarity on venue allocations, timelines, and the structure of one of cricket’s most prestigious tournaments.
This series of decisions underscores the ICC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport while navigating the complexities of international relations, particularly in the context of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. It also reflects the council’s strategic focus on advancing women’s cricket by awarding hosting rights for future tournaments to prominent cricketing nations.