Sportslinkpk Latest Sports News in English
ICC Announced Schedule for Champions Trophy 2025
The 15-match, eight-team mega tournament will be played in
Pakistan will host the ICC event after 28 years.
Karachi and Rawalpindi will host three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host at least four matches.
Defending champions Pakistan will begin their campaign on February 19 in Karachi.
Islamabad ; Dec 24 2024 ; Nawaz Gohar
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan whereas the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was confirmed as neutral venue for India’s matches.
The 15-match, eight-team mega-tournament returns to the cricket calendar for the first time since the last edition was staged in 2017, with defending champions Pakistan hosting their first global cricket tournament since 1996.
The thrilling 19-day competition, in which every match counts in the bid to claim the iconic Champions Trophy white jackets, will see Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan form Group A with Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa in Group B, ICC stated in a press release.
The stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host the matches in Pakistan, while Dubai will host Indian matches.
The Champions Trophy begins with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand on February 19 – the opening day of the event – in Karachi. Other key match-ups include Bangladesh taking on India on the second day of the competition in Dubai and Afghanistan facing South Africa on February 21 in Karachi.
On February 22, one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries will pit Australia against England in Lahore, ahead of an unmissable Pakistan versus India contest on February 23 in Dubai.
The quickfire event showcases the very best about cricket in one big day out, with the first semi-final scheduled to be played on March 4 in Dubai and the second semi-final slated for March 5 in Lahore.
Lahore will host the final on March 9, however, if India qualifies for the final it will be played in Dubai, where the victorious team will claim the famous white jackets. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
ICC Chair, Jay Shah : “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.”
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi : “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,” the PCB Chief said.
“Hosting the Champions Trophy is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organizer. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials, and fans alike. Pakistan is elated to welcome the world to the Champions Trophy, and we look forward to extending our renowned hospitality to all,” Mohsin Naqvi said.
ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule ;
Feb 19– Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi
Feb 20 – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Feb 21 – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
Feb 22 – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Feb 23 – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Feb 24 – Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Feb 25 – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Feb 26 – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Feb 27 – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Feb 28 – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Mar 1 – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi
Mar 2 – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Mar 4 – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai*
Mar 5 – Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore**
Mar 9 – Final – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore***
All matches start at 14h00 Pakistan Standard Time
* 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
About the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy ;
Australia and India are the two most successful sides in the ICC Champions Trophy since its inception in 1998 when it was known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy. Both the sides have won the event twice, with Australia being the only side to win back-to-back titles – in 2006 in Mumbai, India, and in 2009 in Centurion, South Africa. India shared the title with hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2002 before winning again in Birmingham, England, in 2014.
Other past winners are South Africa (Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1998), New Zealand (Nairobi, Kenya, 2000), West Indies (The Oval, London, 2004) and Pakistan (The Oval, London, 2017).