Champions Trophy 2025: India to play at neutral venues for Pakistan-hosted tournament after ICC ruling until 2027

India and Pakistan will play matches hosted by either country at neutral venues - including next year's Champions Trophy - during the next rights cycle until 2027.

The decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) means that the upcoming Champions Trophy - which takes place on February 19-March 9, live on Zone Sporty VIP - will see matches staged in Pakistan, the host nation, and a neutral ground when India are playing.

Political tensions between the two nations have led to strained sporting relations and India, cricket's richest and most powerful country, have not played a game in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.

Talks at ICC board level had been ongoing since early November after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed them that their team would not travel to Pakistan, citing not being given permission by the Indian government to do so.

In an updated statement issued on Thursday, the ICC said: "India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue, the ICC board confirmed on Thursday December 19.

"This will apply to the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 [hosted by Pakistan], set to be played in February and March 2025, as well as the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 [hosted by India] and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 [hosted by India and Sri Lanka].

"It was also announced that the PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board] has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply."

While no neutral venue has yet been named for India's games, the United Arab Emirates - where the ICC headquarters are - could be a potential option.

Eight teams - Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa - are competing in the Champions Trophy, with the ICC confirming that the match schedule will be "confirmed soon".

Pakistan are staging a global cricket event for the first time since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

The 50-over competition returns to the international calendar for the first time since Pakistan won the event in 2017.

Pakistan host West Indies in a two-Test series in January before a mini tri-nation ODI tournament with New Zealand and South Africa, scheduled to take place from February 8 ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.