New Delhi. The tussle over hosting the ICC Champions Trophy has finally ended. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday that India will play its Champions Trophy matches at a neutral venue instead of host Pakistan. The same arrangement will be applicable for Pakistan till 2027. Pakistan's team will play the matches of the ICC tournament to be held in India at neutral venues.

The Champions Trophy is a one-day tournament, which is to be played for the first time since 2017. In 2017, Pakistan won the trophy by defeating India. It is a coincidence that the defending champion has also got the hosting of the tournament. The schedule of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be announced soon.

On the ongoing controversy over hosting the Champions Trophy, the ICC said, 'The ICC Board has approved the hybrid model. Now during the current cycle from 2024 to 2027 (which is to be held in India or Pakistan), all the matches of India and Pakistan in the ICC tournament will be played at a neutral venue. During this time the Indian team will not tour Pakistan. Similarly, the Pakistan team will also not go to India.' This arrangement will be applicable in the Champions Trophy 2025 as well as the Women's World Cup and the Men's T20 World Cup. The Women's World Cup is to be held in India next year. After this, India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the Men's T20 World Cup in 2027.

India had refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy to be held in February-March due to security concerns. India had demanded to conduct the matches on a hybrid model like the 2023 Asia Cup. In Asia Cup 2023, India played its matches in Sri Lanka, while the tournament was hosted by Pakistan.