The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the long-awaited schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025. The prestigious tournament, set to follow a hybrid hosting model, will kick off with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The grand finale is scheduled for March 9. India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, where they are set to play all their matches.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai, drawing significant attention from cricket fans worldwide.
The tournament comprises 15 matches hosted across venues in Pakistan and Dubai. In Pakistan, the matches will take place in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi, with each city hosting three group-stage games. Lahore is set to host the second semi-final and the final on March 9, unless India qualifies for the final, in which case it will move to Dubai. Dubai will also host all three group-stage matches involving India and the first semi-final. Both semi-finals and the final will have designated reserve days to ensure uninterrupted play.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected the Hybrid Model but couldn't address security concerns in their country. The BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan, putting the tournament's future in jeopardy. The ICC has now ruled that neither India nor Pakistan will visit each other's countries for ICC events. Following the Champions Trophy schedule announcement, cricket fans worldwide mocked the PCB's hypocrisy on X (formerly Twitter).
If India qualify for the final it will be played in Dubai !! ? pic.twitter.com/QHodehHdMQ
— Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) December 24, 2024
The Groups for the Champions Trophy 2025 are listed as:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh |
| Group B | South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England |
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 19 February | Pakistan v New Zealand | Karachi, Pakistan |
| 20 February | Bangladesh v India | Dubai |
| 21 February | Afghanistan v South Africa | Karachi, Pakistan |
| 22 February | Australia v England | Lahore, Pakistan |
| 23 February | Pakistan v India | Dubai |
| 24 February | Bangladesh v New Zealand | Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| 25 February | Australia v South Africa | Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| 26 February | Afghanistan v England | Lahore, Pakistan |
| 27 February | Pakistan v Bangladesh | Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| 28 February | Afghanistan v Australia | Lahore, Pakistan |
| 1 March | South Africa v England | Karachi, Pakistan |
| 2 March | New Zealand v India | Dubai |
| 4 March | Semi-final 1 | Dubai |
| 5 March | Semi-final 2 | Lahore, Pakistan |
| 9 March | Final | Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai) |
| 10 March | Reserve day | - |
Note: *All matches will be day-night encounters
Also Read: PAK vs WI: West Indies announced Test Squad for Pakistan tour
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