India-Pakistan clash confirmed for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at neutral venue
The long-standing dispute over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been resolved. Cricket fans worldwide, particularly in India and Pakistan, will witness a thrilling India-Pakistan clash. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as hosts of the tournament, has confirmed Dubai, UAE, as the neutral venue for the event.
This decision follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the tournament. In response, the PCB agreed to a hybrid model, ensuring that key matches will be held at neutral venues.
A breakthrough came on 21 December when PCB chairman Mohsin Khan met Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, head of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), in Pakistan. After their discussion, the PCB announced that Dubai would host all of India’s group-stage matches.
India’s first match in the Champions Trophy will be on 20 February 2025, against Bangladesh. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match will follow on 23 February, with India’s third match scheduled for 2 March against New Zealand. If India qualifies for the knockout stages, the semi-finals and final will also take place in Dubai.
The agreement gained momentum after the PCB accepted the hybrid model on 19 December. The ICC had granted Pakistan hosting rights for the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup and assured that all India-Pakistan matches would be played at neutral venues for the next four years.
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups for the Champions Trophy. Group A includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B features Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
With the venue and schedule confirmed, cricket fans can now eagerly anticipate the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash and the exciting tournament ahead.
