The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its decision to choose the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue for India's matches in the upcoming Champions Trophy. This move resolves the long-standing uncertainty surrounding the tournament's venues.

Key Meeting Between PCB and ECB

The decision to select the UAE was finalized after a crucial meeting between Sheikh Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB.

The meeting, held in Sanghar, Sindh province, highlighted the collaborative efforts of both cricket boards to find a neutral ground for India-Pakistan matches.

Sheikh Mubarak Al Nahyan, currently touring Pakistan, played a significant role in ensuring UAE's selection. Create a Betpro account and see all cricket updates.

Dubai: The Likely Venue for India-Pakistan Clash

With this agreement, Dubai has emerged as the top choice for hosting the much-anticipated India-Pakistan game on February 23.

The UAE boasts three international cricket venues—Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah—but Dubai is favored due to its larger capacity and modern infrastructure.

A PCB spokesperson confirmed, "The PCB has chosen the UAE as the neutral venue and has formally informed the ICC. Now, India and Pakistan's Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE."

ICC's Neutral Venue Policy

The host board can propose neutral venues for global events per the ICC board's decision. While Sri Lanka was considered a potential option, the PCB ultimately decided on the UAE, a well-known hub hosting high-profile cricket events.

On December 19, the ICC approved using neutral venues for India-Pakistan matches across its global events for the 2024–2027 cycle.

The ICC stated, "Matches between India and Pakistan played at ICC Events during the current rights cycle will be held at a neutral venue proposed by the tournament host." This policy will be applied to:

• ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan)
• ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India)
• ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka).

Resolving the Uncertainty

The decision to select the UAE ends the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the Champions Trophy. This situation began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that India would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

With the venue finalized, the ICC is set to release the full schedule for the Champions Trophy. The tournament, featuring eight teams, is slated to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

The official announcement of the schedule is expected soon, with many speculating it will be revealed on Monday.

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Final Thoughts

The PCBs choice of the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy ensures the tournament proceeds smoothly. It underscores cricket boards' commitment to maintain the game's spirit despite political challenges.

With Dubai likely to host the marquee India-Pakistan clash, fans can look forward to an electrifying contest in one of the world's premier cricketing hubs.