The ICC Champions Trophy schedule has been announced ahead of the tournament’s long-awaited return in 2025.
The 50-over competition returns to the international calendar for the first time since 2017, with Pakistan hosting a global cricket event for the first time since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
Defending champions and hosts Pakistan begin the 15-match, eight-team tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.
Bangladesh and India join Pakistan and New Zealand in Group A while Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa are placed in Group B.
England’s first game of the tournament is against 2006 and 2009 winners Australia in Lahore on February 22, before a must-win clash between Pakistan and India in Dubai on February 23.
After completing the 12 group stage matches, the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, with the winners facing off in the final in Lahore on March 9 for the Champions Trophy and an iconic white jacket.
Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs to win the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval
Where are games played?
Stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host matches in Pakistan, while matches involving India will be played in the United Arab Emirates.
The neutral venue in Dubai was chosen after the ICC confirmed that all matches between Pakistan and India in ICC tournaments, both men’s and women’s, including next year’s Women’s World Cup, will be played at neutral venues until at least 2027 become.
Political tensions between the two nations have led to strained sporting relations and India, the richest and most powerful cricketing country, has not played a game in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
This means that if India qualify, they will play in the first semi-final in Dubai, while if Pakistan progress, they will play in the second semi-final in Lahore. The final, scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 9, will also be moved to the United Arab Emirates if India qualifies.
India will play its Champions Trophy games in the United Arab Emirates
ICC Champions Trophy schedule
Group A
February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand (Karachi)
February 20: Bangladesh – India (Dubai)
February 23: Pakistan vs India (Dubai)
February 24: Bangladesh – New Zealand (Rawalpindi)
February 27: Pakistan – Bangladesh (Rawalpindi)
February 28: Afghanistan – Australia (Lahore)
Group B
February 21: Afghanistan – South Africa (Karachi)
February 22: Australia – England (Lahore)
February 25: Australia – South Africa (Rawalpindi)
February 26: Afghanistan – England (Lahore)
March 1: South Africa – England (Karachi)
March 2: New Zealand – India (Dubai)
Semifinals
March 4th: Semi-final 1, A1 vs B2 (Dubai)*
March 5: Semi-Final 2, A2 vs B1 (Lahore)**
final
March 9th: Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal 2 (Lahore)***
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