NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal on Thursday backed International Cricket Council’s decision to hold India-Pakistan matches at neutral venues during ICC events until 2027, calling it a move that benefits ‘all stakeholders — both cricket boards and broadcasters’.
The ICC Board announced that matches between the arch-rivals in upcoming ICC tournaments, including the 2025 Champions Trophy, will be played at neutral venues.
“It is good that we got some clarity on the Champions Trophy, and also the future ICC tournaments. That will be helpful for all the stakeholders, cricket boards, and the broadcasters,” Dhumal told IANS.
The ICC’s Thursday ruling covers major events such as the men’s Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan in February and March, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Additionally, the PCB has been granted hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which will also follow the neutral venue arrangement for India-Pakistan matches.
The decision also puts to rest speculation about the fate of the Champions Trophy, ensuring that the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash will proceed.
The ICC Board clarified that during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, any India-Pakistan matches in ICC events hosted by either country will take place at neutral venues.
The Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February and March, will see Pakistan defending their title, having defeated India by 180 runs in the 2017 final at The Oval.
The complete schedule for the tournament is expected to be announced soon.
India and Pakistan last met in the T20 World Cup earlier this year in New York, where India claimed a thrilling six-run victory and went on to secure their second T20 World Cup title.
Due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations only compete against each other in international multi-nation tournaments such as World Cups and the Asia Cup.
Their last bilateral series was in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for a five-match white-ball series.
