KARACHI: In a possible end to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding India’s Champions Trophy matches, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly been chosen as the neutral venue for the Blue Shirts’ fixtures in the tournament, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan next year.
Sources said Sunday that the matter of neutral venue was settled during a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and UAE Cricket Board’s head Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan in Ghotki on Saturday night.
The development comes less than a day after Naqvi’s announcement that the decision on the said matter would be finalised by today.
Earlier this week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had announced that Men’s 2025 Champions Trophy would be held under a hybrid model, which will see India play their matches at a neutral venue rather than in the host country.
The issue had been a point of contention between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in light of the latter’s refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan due to security fears and political tensions.
In return, the PCB initially refused to play the Champions trophy on a so-called hybrid model, but backed down after settlement on the condition that both sides will play their matches at neutral venues for all future matches hosted by either country till 2027.
However, the consensus was reached after much discussion and deliberations involving both sides and the ICC.
“India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue,” read the statement issued by the ICC on December 19.
