ICC explores neutral venue tournaments for India vs Pakistan cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a proposal to organize tri-series or four-team tournaments at neutral venues to facilitate matches between India and Pakistan. This initiative aims to revive the high-profile rivalry in limited-overs formats, which has been stalled for years due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

Because the Indian government maintains a strict ban on bilateral cricket series with Pakistan, the ICC's plan utilizes a policy distinction that allows Indian teams to compete against Pakistan within multilateral, international tournaments. This approach would bypass bilateral restrictions while capitalizing on the significant commercial and broadcast value generated by these matchups.

Discussions regarding the feasibility of these multi-nation events are expected to take place during the ICC Future Tours Programme seminar in Dubai, scheduled for late September 2026. The seminar will include representatives from twelve Test-playing nations and eight associate members.