Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal is satisfied with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision regarding the Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier today, it was announced that all the upcoming matches between the India and Pakistan cricket teams at any ICC event will take place at neutral venues until 2027.
BCCI-PCB reach satisfactory agreement
This means that the Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 (hosted by India), and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka) will be played at neutral venues. The stalemate between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had gone on for too long, with about 60 days left before the ICC Champions Trophy kicks off (February 19, 2025).
Dhumal’s happy that an agreement has been reached, and now everyone, including the board and broadcasters, is clearly regarding the 8-team tournament. “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,” the IPL Chairman told IANS.
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PCB compensated by ICC
Apart from this, the PCB has also been awarded the rights for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028. The ICC isn’t compensating Pakistan for their loss, as five matches will be moved out of their nation. These will be the highest-viewing matches, i.e., all of Team India’s matches, including the high-octane clash against Pakistan and knockout matches if India qualifies for the semifinal and then the final.
The ICC is also in favour of Pakistan and India playing a triangular series with a full-member Asian nation or a quadrangular series that includes an associate Asian team. This was one of the PCB’s demands before agreeing to host the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, and if the BCCI agreed, this could come true. Like the ICC events, this multi-nation tournament will be held in a neutral venue as well.
