Pakistan selected the United Arab Emirates as the neutral venue for India’s matches in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Reports in India are suggesting Dubai International Stadium as the likely venue, although the International Cricket Council is yet to confirm this.
The change of venue in the premier cricket tournament was necessitated after India refused to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns. India has not travelled to their neighbouring country since 2008.
The announcement came after Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), met Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, chairman of the UAE Cricket Board, on Sunday night.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has chosen the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said via email.
The deadlock was finally broken last week when the ICC and Pakistan agreed to a hybrid arrangement with India playing all their matches away from Pakistan.
Pakistan visited India for the 50-over Cricket World Cup last year, but under the agreement with the world governing body, they will get a similar arrangement for any tournament to be held in India until 2027 (next year’s 2025 Women’s World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup which is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka).
The final schedule of the tournament, which will be played in February and March next year, is expected to be released soon.
ESPNCricinfo is reporting that the India-Pakistan league match will be played on February 23 (Sunday). India also plays Bangladesh and New Zealand in their group and those matches are also likely to be played in Dubai.
The two semifinals are scheduled for March 4 and March 5 respectively, and the final for March 9.
The first semifinal, if India qualifies, will take place in UAE. Otherwise, the match will be held in Pakistan. Also, if India make it to the final, it will be held in the Emirates.
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