Champions Trophy 2025 Venue Out But India, BCCI Pay Big Price Due To ICC 'Compromise'
NDTV
After months of delay, the International Cricket Council (ICC) finally officially declared the venues of the Champions Trophy
The confusion surrounding the venue of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is over. After months of delay, the International Cricket Council (ICC) finally officially declared the venues for the elite event. "ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 to be played across Pakistan and a neutral venue," the ICC said in a statement. It means India will play its matches in a neutral venue, including the knockout games (if it qualifies). In another major decision, the Jay Shah-led world body has declared that all India vs Pakistan cricket matches in ICC events, hosted by the two countries, will be played at neutral venues till 2027.
"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 on Thursday, 19 December," the statement said.
"This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), set to be played in February and March 2025, as well as 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 'compromise' on the part of the ICC means that for the first time, the Indian cricket team will have to move out from its own country to play Pakistan in an ICC event, despite being the host or co-host. For a country that boasts itself to be a cricket power-house, that might hurt.
