Historic Breakthrough in India-Pakistan Cricket Standoff: Hybrid Model Confirmed for Upcoming ICC Events
A major breakthrough has finally emerged in the long-standing dispute surrounding India-Pakistan matches in ICC tournaments, with a hybrid model now agreed upon. After more than a month of negotiations between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a consensus has been reached. Going forward, all India-Pakistan fixtures in the 2024-27 cycle will be played in a neutral country.
This decision applies to key ICC events, including the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Notably, the India-Pakistan match in the 2026 T20 World Cup will be played in Sri Lanka instead of India.
While the neutral venue for the Champions Trophy is yet to be decided, two potential locations are being considered: the UAE and Sri Lanka. The PCB has expressed a preference for Sri Lanka, but logistical factors may ultimately sway the decision in favor of the UAE. The final schedule and venue details will be announced soon.
Should the UAE be chosen, Dubai will likely host the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, with Abu Dhabi and Sharjah also under consideration. Dubai’s larger stadium is expected to be the venue for the marquee game. The UAE is set to host 10 out of the 15 Champions Trophy matches, including crucial India league matches and knockout fixtures.
Additionally, Pakistan has been awarded hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, with the neutral venue model continuing for this event as well. Cricket Australia has also been granted rights for one of the senior ICC women’s events between 2029 and 2031.
This resolution comes after the BCCI declared that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which sparked a tripartite standoff involving the ICC, BCCI, and PCB. With Jay Shah assuming the role of ICC chairman, the BCCI secretary took charge of resolving the impasse, ultimately leading to this historic agreement.
The stage is now set for a new chapter in India-Pakistan cricket, with the hybrid model providing a solution to a longstanding issue.
