The ICC Champions Trophy is to make a great comeback from February 19 to March 9, 2025, which will be its first appearance since 2017. This is the eight-team tournament, and it is going to be a great spectacle of cricket that is going to be played across venues in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The two groups of four are meant to start the tournament. Pakistan and India, together with New Zealand and Bangladesh, comprise Group A, while Group B consists of South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. The teams that top each group will compete in the semifinals, and this will be high-stakes knockout matches.
The tournament gets underway on February 19, when host Pakistan plays New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. The standout match in the group stage will undoubtedly be the blockbuster contest between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, which will take place on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This match promises to attract much global interest, since these two nations have an historic rivalry.
Also read, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Due to political considerations, all of India’s matches will be held in Dubai. This arrangement ensures that the tournament proceeds smoothly while accommodating geopolitical sensitivities. Consequently, if India advances to the final, it will also be hosted in Dubai; otherwise, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is slated to host the championship match.
The group stage concludes on March 2, the semi-finals take place on March 4 and 5, and the grand finale will occur on March 9, during which the champions will be announced.
This edition of the Champions Trophy is special since it will mark the first major ICC event for Pakistan since 1996. The venues will be Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, while Dubai has already been confirmed in the list as a blend of tradition and modernity will help provide different conditions that will check the adaptability and skills of the teams in question.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, featuring 15 matches across venues in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament includes eight teams divided into two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
- Group B: South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
Here is the complete match schedule:
- February 19: Pakistan vs. New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi
- February 20: Bangladesh vs. India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- February 21: Afghanistan vs. South Africa at National Stadium, Karachi
- February 22: Australia vs. England at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- February 23: Pakistan vs. India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- February 24: Bangladesh vs. New Zealand at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- February 25: Australia vs. South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- February 26: Afghanistan vs. England at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- February 27: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- February 28: Afghanistan vs. Australia at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- March 1: South Africa vs. England at National Stadium, Karachi
- March 2: New Zealand vs. India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
The knockout stages are arranged as follows:
- March 4: Semi-final 1 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai (involving India if they qualify)
- March 5: Semi-final 2 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (involving Pakistan if they qualify)
- March 9: Final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (if India qualifies, the final will be held in Dubai)
All matches are set to commence at 14:00 Pakistan Standard Time. This schedule promises a series of exciting encounters, with the highlight being the Pakistan vs. India match on February 23 in Dubai. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating this tournament, which marks the return of the Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus.