The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is all set to begin on 19th February 2025 and the final is all set to be played on 9th March 2025.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see eight teams divided into two groups each. The top two teams from both groups will be playing in the semi-final, and the winners of the two semi-finals will be locking horns with each other in the final of the tournament.
Groups of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
India National Cricket Team, along with defending champions Pakistan National Cricket Team, New Zealand National Cricket Team, and Bangladesh National Cricket Team, have been drawn into one group. While Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan are placed in the other group of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Group A: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh.
Pakistan National Cricket Team will be playing the tournament opener of the ICC Champions Trophy against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. While India National Cricket Team will be in action on the second day of the event, which will be played in the two-nation formula.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 recently got accepted by the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to be played in the hybrid model. Hence, according to that model, the games of the India National Cricket Team will be played in Dubai along with the semi-finals and final.
India vs Pakistan to be played on 23rd February
The India National Cricket Team will be opening their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team on 20th February. After that, they will be locking horns with the Pakistan National Cricket Team on 23rd February.
Their last league game will be against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, which will be played on 2nd March. All the games of the India National Cricket Team will be played in Dubai.
The knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on the 4th of March, followed by the second semi-final to be played on the 5th of March. The International Cricket Council also has kept the reserve days for both the semi-finals and the final.
In an official media release, the ICC Chairman Jay Shah said that they are excited to witness another Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE. He said:
“The ICC is delighted to release the schedule for the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, marking the tournament’s much-anticipated return since 2017. The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.
“This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity. This Champions Trophy is truly poised to be an unmissable celebration of the World Cricket’s finest.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that they are delighted that a mutual agreement has been reached regarding the Champions Trophy dispute. He said:
“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.”
Full schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
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***
* Semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify
**Semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify
*** If India qualify for the final it will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai