Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule

The proposed schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been unveiled, with Pakistan set to host the international event.

The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 19, with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand taking place at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The highly anticipated Pakistan-India encounter is slated for 23 February at a neutral venue. This clash is expected to attract significant global attention, reflecting the historic rivalry between the two teams.

Key highlights of the probable schedule:

• Opening match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, February 19, Karachi
• Pakistan vs India: February 23, neutral venue
• Pakistan vs Bangladesh: February 27, Rawalpindi
• Australia vs England: February 22, Lahore
• Afghanistan vs England: February 26, Lahore
• Afghanistan vs Australia: February 28, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Knockout stages and final:
According to the proposed plan, one semi-final will be held in Lahore, while the other will take place at a neutral venue. The final is scheduled for 9 March in Lahore. However, if India qualifies, the match will be moved to a neutral venue to address logistical and diplomatic considerations.

Neutral venue policy:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has adopted a neutral venue policy for matches between India and Pakistan during the 2024-2027 rights cycle. This policy extends to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. It will also apply to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which Pakistan will host.

The ICC is expected to announce the finalised schedule for the event soon.

ICC assures Pak of extra event

The Pakistan Cri1cket Board (PCB) shared key updates during a Governing Board meeting held yesterday in Islamabad, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi. Attendees were briefed on the progress surrounding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with significant developments highlighted.

According to sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that agreements with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have been finalised, with only documentation pending. The final Champions Trophy schedule is expected to be announced within the next 1-2 days.

Champions Trophy 2025 Format

The Champions Trophy follows a straightforward yet thrilling format, ensuring that every match carries significance. The eight participating teams are divided into two groups of four. In the group stage, each team will play three matches against the other teams in its group. Points are awarded as follows:

• Win: 2 points
• No result or tie: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

At the conclusion of the group stage, the top two teams from each group, based on points and net run rate (NRR), will advance to the semi-finals. This format leaves no room for complacency, as even a single loss or slip-up can cost a team a place in the knockout rounds.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Venues

Pakistan is scheduled to host the 2025 Champions Trophy, with major matches planned for Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, due to geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, there is uncertainty regarding whether India will play its matches in the home country. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering alternative venues, with countries UAE expected to host India’s matches, while the rest of the tournament will take place in Pakistan.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Tentative Schedule

The official match schedule has yet to be released, but based on past editions, we can expect the following structure:

• Group Stage: February 19 to February 28, 2025.

• • Each group will have a round-robin format, where every team plays against the other teams in their group. Top 2 teams from each group move onto the Semi-Finals.

• Semi-finals: March 5 and March 6, 2025.

• • The first semi-final will feature the top team from Group A facing the second-placed team from Group B, while the second semi-final will see the top team from Group B take on the second-placed team from Group A. Tentatively, Rawalpindi and Karachi will be the venues of the semi-finals.

• Final: March 9, 2025.

• • The grand final will see the two semi-final winners clash for the title. Lahore is set to host the final.

Champions Trophy 2025 Key Matches to Watch

The Champions Trophy always delivers exciting matchups, and the 2025 edition is no exception. Some of the key matches cricket fans can look forward to include:

• Pakistan vs India: The rivalry between India and Pakistan is legendary, and their encounters in ICC events are watched by millions around the world. In the 2017 Champions Trophy, Pakistan famously defeated India in the final to win their first title. The two teams are set to face off in a high-octane clash once again.
• Australia vs England: As traditional powerhouses of cricket, Australia and England’s matches are always thrilling. Both teams have a strong history in limited-overs cricket, with Australia having won the Champions Trophy twice, and England being the 2019 ODI World Cup champions.

Champions Trophy 2025 Teams and Favorites

The top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings at the cut-off date will qualify for the tournament. Based on current rankings and past performances, the following teams are expected to feature in the 2025 Champions Trophy:

• India: As a two-time Champions Trophy winner, India is always a favourite in ICC tournaments. Their strength in both batting and bowling makes them a formidable opponent, and they will be eager to reclaim the title they lost in 2017.
• Australia: Australia is known for its dominance in world cricket, particularly in ICC events. With two Champions Trophy titles to their name (2006, 2009), they are always a top contender, especially with their powerful bowling and aggressive batting line-up.
• Pakistan: The defending champions will be looking to defend their 2017 title. Pakistan’s unpredictable nature in limited-overs cricket makes them a dangerous side, and they’ll be hoping to deliver a repeat of their remarkable 2017 campaign.
• England: Their aggressive brand of cricket, particularly in white-ball formats, makes them one of the favourites for the 2025 edition.
• New Zealand: New Zealand is always the dark horse in ICC tournaments, and it consistently reaches the knockout stages. With a balanced side and strong leadership, they are likely to be contenders once again in 2025.
• South Africa: Their depth in both batting and bowling will make them a competitive force in the group stages.

Other teams like Bangladesh and Afghanistan will also be aiming to secure qualification and make their presence felt in the tournament.

As we await the final 2025 Champions Trophy schedule, the excitement surrounding the tournament continues to build. With some of the best teams in the world competing for the title, fans can expect high-quality cricket, thrilling matches, and unforgettable moments. Whether the tournament is held in Pakistan or moved to another location, the 2025 Champions Trophy promises to be a cricketing spectacle that will captivate fans globally. Keep an eye on the official announcements for the final schedule and venue confirmations as the tournament draws closer.

After Refusing To Travel To Pakistan, India Will Play ICC Champions Trophy Matches At This Venue

On Thursday, the deadlock over the hosting of Champions Trophy finally ended when the ICC announced that India will play their matches of the 50-over event at a neutral venue.

Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that they have chosen the United Arab Emirates as the neutral venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy. “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has chosen the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy,” said PCB spokesperson Amir Mir in a statement to IANS.

“The PCB has formally informed the ICC about the neutral venue decision. Now, India and Pakistan’s Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE. The decision regarding the neutral venue for the Champions Trophy was to be made by the host, Pakistan. The final decision on the venue was made after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan. Sheikh Al Nahyan, currently in Pakistan, is also the Chairman of the UAE Cricket Board,” he added.

The executive board of the International Cricket Council on Thursday confirmed that matches between India and Pakistan in upcoming ICC events till 2027, including next year’s Champions Trophy 2025, will be played at neutral venues.

The neutral venue arrangements will apply to the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan), set to be played in February and March 2025, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka). Moreover, it will also be applied to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, whose hosting rights have been awarded to Pakistan.

Due to strained political relations, India and Pakistan only compete in international events like the World Cup and Asia Cup. The last bilateral series between the two nations was held in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a five-match white-ball series.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in February and March 2025. Meanwhile, ICC said the schedule for the marquee tournament will be confirmed in the coming days. Pakistan are the defending champions of the tournament, having defeated India by 180 runs in the final at The Oval in 2017.

Both teams last played against each other in the T20 World Cup in New York earlier this year which India won by six runs and went on to claim their second silverware in the format.