The political tension between Pakistan and India, which has greatly affected cricket, is likely to impact the neighboring country, with the upcoming two ICC tournaments expected to be shifted to another venue.
According to reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reviewing plans to relocate upcoming global events in India due to political tensions and logistical challenges among neighboring nations.
Media sources suggest the ICC is exploring moving the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup to alternative venues, as the arch-rivals refuse to play in each other’s countries.
Australia has emerged as the leading candidate to host these tournaments if relocation occurs, supported by its successful history of staging the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The impasse originates from a prior ICC-facilitated agreement that all India-Pakistan matches in global tournaments would be held at neutral venues, after India refused to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Initially valid until 2027, the agreement is reportedly being extended indefinitely to cover all future ICC events between the two cricketing nations, reflecting persistent political and logistical deadlocks.
Complicating the board’s deliberations, Bangladesh recently withdrew from the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after the ICC denied requests to move their matches to Sri Lanka.
The withdrawal leaves India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh unable to play against each other, creating a prolonged stalemate in international cricket and raising uncertainty over future bilateral series in the region.
Cross-border political tensions have also influenced conduct on the field, with India refusing to shake hands with Pakistan players during the 2023 Asia Cup, signaling deteriorating relations between the teams.
This behavior continued during the ongoing T20 World Cup, where Pakistan is playing all matches in Sri Lanka, drawing widespread criticism from fans, commentators, and media across the cricketing world.