Amid lingering uncertainty over India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan, sources confirmed on Sunday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been selected as the neutral venue for India’s matches.
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The decision emerged following a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and UAE Cricket Board’s head Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan in Ghotki on Saturday night. Naqvi had earlier assured that the matter would be resolved promptly.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced that the tournament will proceed under a hybrid model, allowing India to play matches at neutral venues rather than in Pakistan. This arrangement addresses longstanding tensions between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), fueled by India’s refusal to play in Pakistan over security and political concerns.
Initially, the PCB opposed the hybrid model but agreed after negotiations. The compromise ensures that matches involving India and Pakistan at ICC events from 2024 to 2027 will also be held at neutral venues. This applies to other tournaments, including 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.
India’s government has barred its cricket team from traveling to Pakistan for bilateral events for over a decade. The last bilateral series between the arch-rivals was held in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India. India’s last visit to Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup.
This neutral venue arrangement symbolizes a reluctant yet practical step toward maintaining cricketing ties amid political impasse.
