New Delhi, Dec 19 (NationPress) The chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Arun Dhumal, has expressed his endorsement of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) conclusion that matches between India and Pakistan during ICC events will be played at neutral venues until 2027. He stated that this decision will assist all stakeholders—both cricket boards and broadcasters.

The ICC Board confirmed on Thursday that matches involving India and Pakistan in forthcoming ICC events until 2027, including the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, will be held at neutral locations. "It's encouraging to have clarity on the Champions Trophy and future ICC tournaments, which will benefit all stakeholders, including cricket boards and broadcasters," said IPL chairman Arun Dhumal in an interview with IANS.

This decision by the ICC will impact the imminent ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (to be hosted by Pakistan), scheduled for February and March 2025, along with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka).

Additionally, it was revealed that the PCB has been granted hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where the same neutral venue arrangements will be applicable. The ICC's decision regarding matches between India and Pakistan will also put an end to any speculation concerning the future of the Champions Trophy.

Sources informed IANS on Thursday that the highly anticipated showdown between the two arch-rivals in the Champions Trophy 2025 is set for February 23, with Colombo and Dubai being the leading candidates to host India's matches in this hybrid-format tournament.

This development follows the ICC Board's announcement that "matches between India and Pakistan hosted by either nation during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will take place at a neutral venue."

The Champions Trophy is slated for February and March 2025. Meanwhile, the ICC has stated that the schedule for this prestigious tournament will be released soon. Pakistan holds the title from the last tournament, having triumphed over India by 180 runs in the final held at The Oval in 2017.

The last encounter between the two teams was in the T20 World Cup in New York earlier this year, where India claimed victory by six runs, ultimately securing their second championship in this format.

Given the strained political relations between the two nations, India and Pakistan only compete against each other in international tournaments such as World Cups and the Asia Cup. The last bilateral series took place in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a five-match white-ball series.