ICC Champions Trophy 2025: All You Need to Know
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the return of one of cricket’s most prestigious tournaments. Scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, this event will unite the top eight cricketing nations in a battle for supremacy. Jointly hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the tournament is bound to reignite cricketing rivalries and showcase the sport at its finest.
Host Nations: Pakistan and UAE
This edition of the Champions Trophy is particularly significant as it marks Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC global event since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. While Pakistan will host the majority of the matches, the UAE will serve as a secondary venue, ensuring the tournament runs smoothly. Key venues include:
- Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi
- UAE: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
ICC Champions Trophy Tournament Format
The ICC Champions Trophy follows a compact and competitive format:
- Group Stage: Eight teams are divided into two groups of four. Each team plays the others in its group once.
- Knockout Stage: The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, leading to a grand finale.
Groups:
- Group A: Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan
- Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa
Key Fixtures
The tournament will kick off with a thrilling opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19, 2025, at the National Stadium in Karachi. Some highly anticipated matches include:
- Pakistan vs. India: February 23, 2025, in Dubai. Known as one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket, this clash is sure to draw global attention.
- Australia vs. England: February 22, 2025, in Lahore. This rivalry dates back to the early days of cricket and remains a crowd-puller.
- Bangladesh vs. India: February 20, 2025, in Dubai. A contest that promises intense competition and exciting cricket.
Here’s the updated match schedule with the locations:
| Date | Group | Match Details | Location | Time (GMT) | Local Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19 | 1st Match, Group A | Pakistan Vs New Zealand, | National Stadium, Karachi | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 20 | 2nd Match, Group A | Bangladesh Vs India, | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 09:00 AM | 01:00 PM |
| Feb 21 | 3rd Match, Group B | Afghanistan Vs South Africa, | National Stadium, Karachi | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 22 | 4th Match, Group B | Australia Vs England, | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 23 | 5th Match, Group A | Pakistan Vs India, | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 09:00 AM | 01:00 PM |
| Feb 24 | 6th Match, Group A | Bangladesh Vs New Zealand, | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 25 | 7th Match, Group B | Australia Vs South Africa, | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 26 | 8th Match, Group B | Afghanistan Vs England, | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 27 | 9th Match, Group A | Pakistan Vs Bangladesh, | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Feb 28 | 10th Match, Group B | Afghanistan Vs Australia, | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Mar 01 | 11th Match, Group B | South Africa Vs England, | National Stadium, Karachi | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Mar 02 | 12th Match, Group A | New Zealand Vs India, | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 09:00 AM | 01:00 PM |
| Mar 04 | (A1 v B2) | 1st Semi-Final | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 09:00 AM | 01:00 PM |
| Mar 05 | (B1 v A2) | 2nd Semi-Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Mar 09 | Final | TBC | 09:00 AM | 02:30 PM |
Which match are you most excited about? 😊🏏
The semi-finals will take place on March 4 and March 5 in Dubai and Lahore, respectively, with the final scheduled for March 9, 2025. Notably, if India reaches the final, it will be hosted in Dubai due to logistical and political considerations.
Historical Significance
The ICC Champions Trophy last took place in 2017, with Pakistan emerging victorious after a commanding win over India in the final. The return of this tournament not only excites fans worldwide but also showcases Pakistan’s readiness to host international cricket on a grand scale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who will host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, with matches spread across venues in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.
Will India go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025?
India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, all matches involving India, including the knockout matches, will be held at neutral venues, primarily in Dubai.
This decision follows an agreement between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan to host their matches at neutral venues until 2027. The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium
What is the squad for India in the Champions Trophy 2025?
Here’s the squad for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 as a list:
Rohit Sharma – Captain
Shubman Gill – Vice-Captain
Virat Kohli – Batsman
Shreyas Iyer – Batsman
KL Rahul (wk) – Wicketkeeper
Hardik Pandya – All-Rounder
Axar Patel – All-Rounder
Washington Sundar – All-Rounder
Kuldeep Yadav – Spinner
Jasprit Bumrah – Bowler
Mohammed Shami – Bowler
Arshdeep Singh – Bowler
Yashasvi Jaiswal – Batsman
Rishabh Pant (wk) – Wicketkeeper
Ravindra Jadeja – All-Rounder
Will Jasprit Bumrah play in the Champions Trophy 2025?
Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, but his participation is uncertain due to a back injury he sustained during the Sydney Test against Australia. BCCI is keenly looking up on his fitness.
Closing Thoughts
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a thrilling celebration of cricket. With high-stakes matches, intense rivalries, and a chance to witness the best teams compete, this tournament is bound to captivate fans around the world.
Stay tuned for updates and prepare to cheer for your favorite team as they aim for glory on the global stage!
