PCB names UAE as neutral venue for India’s Champions Trophy matches

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put an end to the neutral venue debacle for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as it has decided to name United Arab Emirates (UAE) today as the neutral venue for India’s matches. 

The cricketing body has notified the International Cricket Council (ICC) of the decision made after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi with UAE’s President Sheikh Al Nahyan, the spokesperson said.

The issue has been circulating in the two countries for a while with the Indian government refusing to allow its players to visit Pakistan for the mega event.

Now, the highly-awaited Champions Trophy will be partially held in UAE for India’s games with the rest of the matches scheduled in Pakistani venues.

Earlier, the chairman had said that a decision on the neutral venue for India’s games of the Champions Trophpy 2025 will be finalised today, emphasising: “We will ensure cricket does not suffer”.

The PCB chief’s comments came a couple of days after the ICC announced that the Champions Trophy would be held under a hybrid model, with India set to play their matches at a neutral venue rather than in the host country, Pakistan.

“India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC Board confirmed,” said a statement released by the council.

“This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan).”

Under the agreement, Pakistan will also play at neutral venues in the upcoming ICC tournaments hosted by India.

The agreement will extend to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 hosted by India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the statement added.