ICC Champions Trophy 2025: International Cricket Council confirms final stance on venue

Geoff Allardice, Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has officially confirmed that the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will remain in Pakistan, despite the uncertainties over India’s participation in the tournament.

With the Champions Trophy 2025 set to be held in February-March, Pakistan is enthusiastically preparing for a grand event, with major stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi undergoing extensive renovation to meet international standards.

ICC confirms Pakistan as host for Champions Trophy 2025 despite India's travel concerns

However, tensions are brewing as the BCCI has reportedly refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan due to political tension between the two nations. But, in a recent media briefing held in Dubai for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Allardice made it clear that Pakistan will host the event.

The ICC CEO has reiterated that there will be no change in the venue for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024 and that no teams have yet voiced against traveling to Pakistan for the mega event. This statement raised questions about whether India is ready to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Allardice told the media in Dubai: “I think I clarified that earlier, at this stage, the Champions Trophy 2025 has been awarded to the Pakistan Cricket Board, and we haven't been given any information to suggest that it wouldn't be played there. Our team always visits the host of events, so there will be more visits ahead of the tournament.”

Watch here ICC CEO's statement:

ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice clarifies that the Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan.#Cricket | #Pakistan | #GeoffAllardice | #ChampionsTrophy2025 | #Dubai | #India pic.twitter.com/34fWnFXasM

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) September 11, 2024

Meanwhile, the ICC is all set to make a highly important inspection tour to Pakistan this month to assess their preparation for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC delegation will present a review of not only the infrastructure but also hold high-stake discussions over the tentative schedule with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Champions Trophy 2025 schedule delayed due to India

Surprisingly, it is being said that PCB is still in the dark about the ICC's upcoming visit even after sending them a preliminary draft of the upcoming mega event.

A source said: “The schedule has now been seen by the participating boards in the Champions Trophy, and there is still some work to be done before it is finalized and announced. Obviously, a final decision on whether the Indian team would be permitted by its government to play in Pakistan is one major reason for the schedule still being under consideration.”

On the other hand, the ICC has announced that entrance to all matches in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be free for anyone under the age of 18 to boost attendance and attract young audiences for the global event with an aim to promote women’s cricket.

The ticket prices will be available for persons above 18, at an affordable price of just 5 dirhams, approximately INR 115. These moves highlighted the ICC's vision to make the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 even more accessible and entertaining for fans of all age groups.