PCB Confirms UAE as Neutral Venue for Champions Trophy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially selected the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue for hosting India’s matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy, following the hybrid model.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has formally informed the ICC of its decision to hold India and Pakistan’s matches in the UAE,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said in a statement to IANS. “This decision was finalized after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cricket Board Chairman and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, currently visiting Pakistan.”
India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns, prompted the PCB to settle on a neutral venue. Under this arrangement, India’s three group-stage matches, including a high-stakes clash against Pakistan, will take place in the UAE. Depending on India’s performance, the UAE could also host a semi-final and the final.
This hybrid hosting model applies not only to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 but also to several upcoming tournaments, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India), the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka), and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 (hosted by Pakistan).
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Strained Relations Continue to Impact Cricket
Due to tense political relations, India and Pakistan only face each other in international events like the World Cup and Asia Cup. The last bilateral series between the two countries occurred in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball series.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram expressed mixed emotions about the decision. “Like millions of Pakistani fans, I would have loved to see the whole tournament played in Pakistan and India touring our country,” Akram told AFP. “But if this is the solution, then it’s the best one. It’s not a win for any country, but it is a loss for young Pakistani fans who wanted to see stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah play in their homeland.”
Pakistan’s Cricket Challenges
Pakistan has worked hard in recent years to restore its status as a host for international cricket, following the 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore. Despite hosting top cricketing nations recently, the loss of several Champions Trophy matches underscores India’s growing influence in global cricket.
India’s cricket board, the richest in the world, wields significant power in international cricket, with its president Jay Shah now serving as the ICC chairman. At just 36, Shah is the youngest person to ever hold the position.
The 2025 Champions Trophy, an eight-team 50-over tournament, is scheduled for February and March. While the final schedule is yet to be announced, the competition will feature teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
