Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Ramiz Raja, on Tuesday, said that getting hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a great matter of pride for the country. The Asian giant last held an ICC event in 1996. 

“It’s a matter of great pride and delight that Pakistan will be hosting ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This great news will surely excite millions of Pakistani fans, expats and world fans to see great teams and players in action and will allow the world to sample our hospitality,” Ramiz Raja tweeted. 

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the 14 host countries for white-ball events in the next cycle (2024 to 2031). India is set to host three ICC events in the period. 

Pakistan had not been hosting many international bilateral series in the country after the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore back in 2009. Recently, New Zealand and England pulled out of their tours to Pakistan. 

“I am pleased no-end with the ICC’s decision to select Pakistan as a host nation for one of their elite tournaments. By allocating a major global event to Pakistan, the ICC has expressed complete confidence and faith in our management and operational capabilities and skills,” Ramiz said in a statement released by PCB.

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“We have continued to demonstrate how a great host we are and through the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we will again showcase our passion and love for the sport as this event will be a boon to the millions of home fans, who will see world class teams and their favourite international players from close quarters.

“We not only endeavour to plan and deliver a world-class event, we will also prepare and field a strong and formidable side that can perform and entertain our home fans,” he added

“We saw during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign how the nation got united and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home will be another opportunity to further strengthen that bond as we defend the title,” he concluded.

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The hosts for ICC tournaments from 2024 to 2031 are as follows:

2024 T20 World Cup: USA and West Indies

2025 Champions Trophy: Pakistan

2026 T20 World Cup: India and Sri Lanka

2027 World Cup: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia

2028 T20 World Cup: Australia and New Zealand

2029 Champions Trophy: India

2030 T20 World Cup: England, Ireland and Scotland

2031 World Cup: India and Bangladesh