India will not visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, citing security and political concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that these matches will take place at neutral venues instead. This decision ends weeks of dispute between the two countries regarding the tournament’s location. India’s refusal to travel stems from ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly around cricket relations.
Neutral Venues for India and Pakistan Matches
Under the new arrangement, all matches between India and Pakistan during ICC events from 2024-2027 will be played at neutral sites. This includes the upcoming Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025. Pakistan will also play in ICC tournaments hosted by India in other countries, which are still to be determined. The ICC confirmed that these neutral venues will apply to both men’s and women’s ICC events during this period.
The agreement extends beyond the Champions Trophy to other major ICC tournaments. It will include the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which India will host, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This ensures that matches between India and Pakistan will continue to take place at neutral venues throughout these tournaments, avoiding any political or security concerns related to hosting.
India’s Absence from Pakistan Since 2006
India has not toured Pakistan since 2006 and has only played Pakistan in multi-team tournaments. The last bilateral series took place in 2012-2013 when Pakistan toured India for a limited-overs series. Due to ongoing political tensions, the two nations have not resumed direct cricket engagements. The announcement comes after India refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing the lack of government approval.
Pakistan’s national team recently visited India for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, playing all its matches there. Despite this, Pakistan has not hosted major ICC events since the 1996 World Cup, co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. The last ICC event in Pakistan was the 2017 Champions Trophy, where Pakistan triumphed over India. India’s stance on hosting ICC events in Pakistan remains influenced by security concerns, as seen with the hybrid model used in the Asia Cup.
