LAHORE: The UAE will serve as the neutral location for India’s matches in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan, according to a Sunday announcement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
A PCB spokesperson stated that the Board formally communicated its decision to the International Cricket Council. He went on to say that Pakistan was responsible for selecting the neutral location for the eight-nation gathering.
The Champions Trophy matches between India and Pakistan will now be played in the United Arab Emirates as a consequence of this decision.
The PCB official added that after a meeting in Ghotki between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the final decision about the neutral location was taken. In addition, the UAE minister chairs the Cricket Board of the nation.
The meeting included bilateral ties, mutual interest subjects, and cricket promotion between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan and the UAE came to an agreement to advance cricket through additional measures. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan was invited by the PCB chief to come to Pakistan and observe the Champions Trophy games.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan sent his warmest regards for the Champions Trophy’s excellent organization. “Our good wishes are with you for the organization of the Champions Trophy tournament,” he said, highlighting the significance of the UAE’s relationship with Pakistan.
At the event, Mohsin vowed to help cricket’s promotion in the United Arab Emirates.
A report published on Sunday by the Press Trust of India stated that Dubai was confirmed as the neutral location for India’s Champions Trophy matches.
India will play their matches in the 50-over event at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, which will receive a similar arrangement for tournaments to be held in India until 2027 on the two-way hybrid model proposed by the PCB, the ICC announced on Thursday, finally ending the impasse over hosting the eight-team Champions Trophy.
Pakistan is anticipated to host nine to ten matches, and the ICC is currently anticipated to reveal the event’s final schedule.
The Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), the women’s World Cup in India the following year, and the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026 will all be subject to the two-way hybrid arrangement.