Champions Trophy 2025: A Total of 8 teams will participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 with 15 matches scheduled. All the teams have been divided into Group A and Group B. Apart from India and Pakistan, Group A includes New Zealand and Bangladesh teams. Group B includes Australia, Afghanistan, England and South Africa.
ICC Announces Full Schedule; Pakistan Faces the Possibility of Playing the Final Abroad if India Qualifies
The ICC has released the full schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025. The complications of Pakistan hosting the tournament have now increased. A new challenge has emerged for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), particularly concerning the tournament’s final match. The ICC has set Lahore as the venue for the match. Which is a joyous occasion for Pakistani cricket fans. But along with this, there is also disappointing news. They will feel very sad about this.
Due to the instability of political relations between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India had already announced that the Indian cricket team would not go to Pakistan under any circumstances. Dubai was decided as a neutral venue for the Indian team. For this, it was decided to hold the match in a hybrid model.
The ICC has determined four venues. One of these venues is Dubai International Stadium in UAE. Where all the matches of the Indian team will be held, this also includes a semi-final match.
Hybrid Hosting Model Could Shift Final Match to Dubai, Impacting Pakistan’s Hosting Pride
Now the confusion of the Pakistan Cricket Board has increased with the fact that if the Indian team reaches the final match, then the final match will also be held in Dubai, which is very disappointing news for the host team. For any host country, the title championship match being held outside that country is a big blow.
The situation could worsen if Pakistan also qualifies for the final alongside India, requiring the Pakistan team to leave its home ground to play the match in Dubai. It will be a big blow for the Pakistan Cricket Board. This is no less than a shock for Pakistan cricket fans. In such a situation, the Pakistan team will have to leave its home ground and go to Dubai. As a host, this will be no less than a great insult for it.
Both India and Pakistan are in the same group. The 8 teams participating in this tournament have to play 3-3 matches in their respective groups. The top 2 teams of each group will qualify for the semi-final. The first semi-final match will be held in Dubai and the second in Lahore. After that, Lahore has been decided as the venue for the final match. The team reaching the final match will have to play a total of five matches.
Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule:
- 19 February – Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi
- 20 February – Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai
- 21 February – Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi
- 22 February – Australia vs. England, Lahore
- 23 February – Pakistan vs. India, Dubai
- 24 February – Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, Rawalpindi
- 25 February – Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi
- 26 February – Afghanistan vs. England, Lahore
- 27 February – Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
- 28 February – Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore
Knockout Stage:
- 1 March – South Africa vs. England, Karachi
- 2 March – New Zealand vs. India, Dubai
- 4 March – Semi-final 1, Dubai
- 5 March – Semi-final 2, Lahore
- 9 March – Final, Lahore (or Dubai if India reaches the final)
- 10 March – Reserve Day
