On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the official schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 after a month from its expected announcement date.
The tournament is set to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, has faced many challenges, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not agreeing to send its team to Pakistan due to political and security issues, despite receiving security assurances from all member boards and the tentative match schedule.
On December 19, after a week of negotiations, the hosting of next year’s Champions Trophy dispute finally resolved when the ICC confirmed that India would play their matches at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, so for now they will get a similar arrangements for tournaments to happen in India till 2027.
Earlier this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) propose the two-way hybrid model to resolve India’s concerns about traveling to Pakistan for the tournament that was accepted by BCCI.
According to an ICC statement, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the tournament venues in Pakistan.
Each venue will host three group stage matches, and Lahore will host the second semi-final.
The final is also scheduled to be held in Lahore on 9 March, but if India qualifies, it will be played in Dubai.
On Sunday, the PCB announced that the UAE will serve as the neutral venue for India’s matches in the tournament.
“Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days,” the statement said.
Dubai will host India’s three group matches and the first semi-final.
The tournament will start with Pakistan vs New Zealand in Group A at Karachi on February 19 and in the next day, the Dubai segment starts with India vs Bangladesh.
Group B begins on February 21, with Afghanistan against South Africa in Karachi.
A thrilling weekend will then come with England facing Australia in Lahore on Saturday, February 22, and the highly awaited Pakistan vs India match on the next day.
Group A includes Pakistan, alongside India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B consists of Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
Groups
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
- Group B: South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
Champions Trophy Schedule
- February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan.
- February 20: Bangladesh vs India, Dubai, UAE
- February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
- February 22: Australia vs England, Lahore, Pakistan
- February 23: Pakistan vs India, Dubai, UAE
- February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- February 25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- February 26: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore, Pakistan
- February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
- March 1: South Africa vs England, Karachi, Pakistan
- March 2: New Zealand vs India, Dubai, UAE
- March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai, UAE
- March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
- March 9: Final, Lahore (if India qualifies, venue shifts to Dubai)
- March 10: Reserve day.