With ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the ICC is considering moving future global tournaments from India, Australia’s The Age reported on Monday (February 16). According to the paper, the ICC is considering shifting the 2029 Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup from India to avoid logistical complications arising from India and Pakistan rejecting each other.
The Age reported that Australia – which previously hosted the ODI World Cup in 2015 and the T20 World Cup in 2022 – has emerged as a front-runner to host the events if the move goes ahead.
India and Pakistan had earlier made an agreement with the ICC not to play in their respective countries during global tournaments. The decision was reached after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. It now seems likely that the deal, which was earlier in place until 2027, could be extended to future tournaments.
It is also worth noting that the ICC meetings are held shortly after Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup in 2026. With the ICC unwilling to move Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, the nation was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
As things stand, India will not play in Pakistan and Pakistan will not play in India. Bangladesh also refused to tour India and it remains unclear whether India will tour Bangladesh for future bilateral series. FIFA World Cup T20: India took on Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo. (PTI photo)
After the Pahalgam terror attack, matters between India and Pakistan became even more sensitive. The Indian team has refused to shake hands with the Pakistani stars in the 2025 Asia Cup and now the T20 World Cup. This added a layer of disharmony in the cricketing world, with many criticizing the Indian players for their position.
The Age further reported that the ongoing problems between India, Bangladesh and Pakistan had sparked a wider discussion of emergencies among cricket administrators. The ICC is believed to be preparing back-up plans for major global events if Asian countries continue to remain in contention.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 17, 2026