The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is all set to start on February 19, 2025 and the final is all set to be played on March 9, 2025.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see eight teams divided into two groups each. The top two teams from both groups will play in the semi-final and the winners of the two semi-finals will tie each other in the tournament final.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Groups
The Indian national cricket team along with the defending champions Pakistan national cricket team, New Zealand national cricket team and Bangladesh national cricket team were included in 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.
Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan.
Pakistan national cricket team will play the ICC Champions Trophy tournament opener against New Zealand national cricket team. While the Indian national cricket team will be in action on the second day of the event, which will be played in the two-nation format.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has recently been accepted by the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to be played in the hybrid format. Therefore, according to this pattern, the Indian national cricket team games will be played in Dubai along with the semi-finals and final.
India vs Pakistan will be played on February 23
The Indian national cricket team will open their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against the Bangladesh national cricket team on February 20. After that, on February 23, they will close with the Pakistan national cricket team.
Their last league match will be against the New Zealand national cricket team, which will be played on March 2. All the games of the Indian national cricket team will be played in Dubai.
The knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on March 4, followed by the second semi-final to be played on March 5. The International Cricket Council also kept reserve days for both the semi-finals and the final.
In an official press release, ICC President Jay Shah said that they are excited to witness another Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE. He said:
“The ICC is delighted to launch the Men's Champions Trophy 2025 programme, marking the long-awaited return of the tournament from 2017. The thrilling competition, where eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jerseys, will offer fans 15 matches. unmissable entertainment.
“This edition will be held in Pakistan and the UAE and with Dubai also being the home of the ICC headquarters, it is an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity. This Champions Trophy is truly set to be an unmissable celebration of the world's best cricketers.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said they are happy that a mutual agreement has been reached on the Champions Trophy dispute. He said:
“We are delighted that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, which demonstrates the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport.
“Our sincere gratitude goes to the members of the ICC who played a constructive role in helping us reach a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket”.
Full schedule of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
February 19 – Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi
February 20 – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
February 21 – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
February 22 – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
February 23 – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
February 24 – Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
February 25 – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
February 26 – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
February 27 – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
February 28 – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
March 1 – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi
March 2 – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
March 4 – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai*
March 5 – Semi Final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore**
March 9 – 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