The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy on Tuesday (December 24). The eight-team tournament will be played from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the UAE. Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi will serve as hosts in Pakistan, while India’s games will be played in Dubai.
Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan form Group A, while Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa comprise Group B.
Pakistan will kick off the tournament against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. Meanwhile, India is all set to begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The arch-rivals, India and Pakistan will clash in a high-octane contest on February 23 in the UAE’s most populated city.
Another notable clash would see rivals Australia and England up against each other on February 22 in Lahore. The top two teams from the league stage will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held on March 4-5. Interestingly, the first semifinal game will be played in Dubai, while the second is scheduled to take place in Lahore. However, the catch is that if India qualifies for the knockouts, they will feature in the first semifinal game.
Then, the finale will be played in Dubai International Stadium on March 9, if India qualifies. Otherwise, Lahore will be hosting the finale clash. Both semifinals and the final will have a provision of a reserve day as well.
Champions Trophy 2025 schedule
19 Feb – Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi
20 Feb – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
21 Feb – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
22 Feb – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
23 Feb – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
24 Feb – Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
25 Feb – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
26 Feb – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
27 Feb – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
28 Feb – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 Mar – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi
2 Mar – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
4 Mar – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
5 Mar – Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
9 Mar – Final – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Champions Trophy: Pakistan to host their first global tournament since 1996
With the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan will be hosting their first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup. The marquee event saw Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka serving as the co-hosts, as the Arjuna Ranatunga-led side secured their maiden 50-over World Cup victory.
Before the official announcement, there had been an impasse between BCCI and PCB after India refused to travel to Pakistan to play the Champions Trophy. However, the ICC managed to get PCB to agree to conducting the tournament in a hybrid mode. However, Pakistan and India have also signed an agreement to play at a neutral venue, whenever their neighbors host an ICC event in the coming years.
The last bilateral series between the arch-rivals took place in 2012-13 in India. The T20I series was drawn 1-1 and Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1. Since then, both teams have clashed in the Asia Cup and World Cup games.
FAQs
Who picked up the most wickets in Champions Trophy 2017?
Hasan Ali – 13 wickets
What happened in the finale of 2017 Champions Trophy?
Pakistan won by 180 runs against India
