The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to be stripped of its hosting rights for the 2025 International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy.
According to reports, the hosting matches across four venues has proven difficult, prompting concerns over rising costs and logistical complications. As a result, Karachi, Lahore, and Dubai are being considered as the primary locations for the event.
The official schedule for the Champions Trophy is set to be released today, with final decisions pending an agreement currently under review by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
ICC Champions Trophy: India and Pakistan matches
The cricket boards of Pakistan and India have reportedly agreed on a “fusion formula” that allows both teams to participate in ICC events without hosting matches in each other’s countries.
Under this arrangement, India will host events in Pakistan and Pakistan will play its matches in India at neutral sites till 2027.
This deal will cover forthcoming ICC events, both of which India is scheduled to host: the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the Asia Cup in 2025.
Since 2012-13, tensions between India and Pakistan have stopped the two nations from engaging bilateral series; both teams only meet at ICC events and the Asia Cup. Strained political ties have caused India not to have visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
India played their matches, including the semi-finals and final, in Colombo, while Pakistan hosted the rest of the 2023 men’s 50-over Asia Cup using a similar hybrid concept.
