The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to host India’s matches in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, resolving a long-standing deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
This decision was finalized during a meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and UAE Cricket Board chief Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan in Ghotki.
The resolution follows the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) adoption of a “hybrid model” to address India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan, citing security and political concerns. Under this arrangement, India and Pakistan will compete at neutral venues for all ICC events hosted by either nation until 2027.
This agreement extends beyond the 2025 Champions Trophy, covering other major events like the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028.
The breakthrough is a rare moment of cooperation amid strained relations between the two nations. India’s government has prohibited its cricket team from traveling to Pakistan for bilateral series for over a decade, with the last such contest occurring in 2012-13.
This hybrid model underscores the ongoing challenges in India-Pakistan cricket relations while ensuring the continuation of international cricket events involving both nations.
