The increasing tensions between India and Pakistan are likely to affect the hosting of major international cricket tournaments, with the ICC considering relocating the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 World Cup due to logistical challenges.
The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan in the context of international cricket have begun to influence the hosting rights of major global tournaments. According to a report by the Australian newspaper The Age, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating moving future significant events outside the Indian subcontinent. The concern is centered around the likelihood of one team refusing to play in the other's country, which would create logistical difficulties for organizing these tournaments.
In this context, the ICC is reportedly looking at options to shift the 2029 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2031 Cricket World Cup out of India to avoid potential issues stemming from the long-standing rivalry between the two nations. If the hosting rights are indeed transferred, Australia is being favored as a strong contender, given its successful track record in organizing cricket events, including the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The backdrop of this reconsideration is a prior agreement between India and Pakistan established with the ICC, which states that both teams would not tour each other’s countries for global tournaments. This agreement was put in place after India opted to not play in Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, further increasing the uncertainty regarding the future of cricket tournaments in the region.
