Finally, there’s a hint of a breakthrough in the 2025 Champions Trophy impasse. According to sources, the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have moved closer to an agreement following an informal meeting between the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) newly-elected chair Jay Shah and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai on Thursday.
Although the discussion is ongoing, it has been agreed “in principle” that for the next three years, till 2027, all India-Pakistan matches in ICC tournaments would be played at a neutral venue. The Champions Trophy, scheduled in February-March next year with the PCB as the host, would be played in a hybrid model. India will play their matches likely in Dubai, while a semi-final and the final would be played there as well.
Similarly, if there’s an India-Pakistan match at the 2026 T20 World Cup, that would be played at a neutral venue as well. It is a bit of a facing-saving arrangement for the PCB, given the 2026 event in any case is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and Pakistan can play their matches in the island nation.
India will also host the 2025 women’s World Cup, but Pakistan haven’t qualified for the tournament yet and it has been kept out of the ambit for the moment. An official announcement on the “amicable settlement” could be made on November 7. Naqvi reportedly has told a section of the Pakistan media that he would come up with “good news on Saturday”.
However, as RevSportz earlier reported, the BCCI will give no written guarantee, which was one of key demands of the PCB’s proposed hybrid/partnership model. Also, there’s no question of extending it till 2031. As things stand, it’s basically just for the next T20 World Cup, which in any case is scheduled to be played in a hybrid model.
Meanwhile, after assuming charge as the head of world cricket, Shah has promised a new era for the game. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the ICC Board members, the ICC team, and everyone who contributed to making my first day at the ICC Headquarters as Chair a truly memorable experience,” he said. “Today has been both productive and inspiring. While I am encouraged by what I have seen, I recognise that this is just the beginning. The hard work to elevate cricket to unprecedented heights starts now, and I am confident that together, we will deliver on this vision.”
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