Pakistan confirms UAE as neutral venue for ICC Champions Trophy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the PCB announced that the decision had been communicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

This means that India will play all of its Champions Trophy matches, including the highly anticipated fixture against Pakistan, in the UAE.

The finalisation of the venue followed discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Cricket Board. Sheikh Nahyan, who is currently visiting Pakistan, played a pivotal role in securing the arrangement.

The move comes after the ICC confirmed earlier this week that India would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns.

As part of an agreement between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), both countries have agreed to play their matches hosted by either nation during the 2024-2027 ICC events cycle at neutral venues.

This hybrid model will also apply to other major ICC events, including the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which will be held in India, and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The decision is expected to have significant implications for the logistics and fan engagement at the 2025 Champions Trophy, with the UAE being a central hub for international cricket in recent years.