The 2025 Champions Trophy will take place in a neutral venue |courtesy-BCCi/ACB/AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India will play their matches outside of Pakistan
- Five matches of the 2025 Champions Trophy will take place in a neutral venue
- India will face Pakistan in the group stage
The impasse around the 2025 Champions Trophy is set to end soon with the official announcement of the 2025 Champions Trophy expected soon. The eight-team tournament will return after eight years and also mark the first instance of Pakistan hosting a global event since 1996.
However, the tournament will be played in a hybrid model after India confirmed they will not travel to the neighbouring nation. After a month of negotiations, the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed that India will play their matches in a neutral venue while a similar model will be followed for the 2025 Women's World Cup and 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, in which Pakistan will not travel to India.
However, the second venue for the tournament has remained a point of debate. While Colombo was touted as a strong choice after being the co-host of the 2023 Asia Cup, which was also played in a hybrid model, it appears that Sri Lanka will not get hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
A report by Cricket Pakistan has revealed that all stakeholders, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have reached an agreement that Dubai will be the neutral venue.
The Gulf Tiger will host at least five matches in the tournament, as all three matches of the Indian team in the league stage, including the blockbuster India-Pakistan clash, will take place outside Pakistan. One semi-final and the final of the tournament are also expected to take place in Dubai.
Reports have indicated that India will be placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. The Men in Blue are likely to face Bangladesh on February 20 before facing off against Pakistan on February 23rd. India will wrap up their group-stage campaign against New Zealand on March 2.
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