The ICC announced the fixtures for the 2025 Champions Trophy, featuring Pakistan and India clashing in Dubai on February 23. The tournament runs from February 19 to March 9, with Pakistan as the host nation and matches played in Dubai due to political tensions. Notably, this is Pakistan’s first global cricket hosting since 1996, with neutral venue arrangements set for future events against India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the fixtures for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will see India face Pakistan in Dubai on February 23. This highly anticipated tournament will take place in Pakistan and at the neutral venue of Dubai, running from February 19 to March 9. Pakistan, as the defending champions, has been placed in Group A along with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Group B includes England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
The tournament will commence with Pakistan competing against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, followed by India’s match against Bangladesh in Dubai on the 20th. Given the current political tensions, India will play all of its group fixtures and the first semi-final in the UAE. Should India reach the final, that match will also be relocated to Dubai instead of Lahore, where it is currently scheduled.
On the 22nd of February, England will kick off their campaign against Australia in Lahore, and they will also face Afghanistan and South Africa in subsequent matches. This Champions Trophy marks Pakistan’s first hosting of a global cricket event since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Furthermore, in 2028, Pakistan is set to host the women’s T20 World Cup, with similar neutral venue arrangements in place for both men’s and women’s matches where the hosting country is India until 2027. It is noteworthy that India and Pakistan have not played each other outside of major men’s tournaments since 2013, highlighting the significance of this event.
The fixtures are as follows:
– February 19: Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi
– February 20: Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai
– February 21: Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi
– February 22: Australia vs. England, Lahore
– February 23: Pakistan vs. India, Dubai
– February 24: Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, Rawalpindi
– February 25: Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi
– February 26: Afghanistan vs. England, Lahore
– February 27: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
– February 28: Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore
– March 1: South Africa vs. England, Karachi
– March 2: New Zealand vs. India, Dubai
– March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai
– March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
– March 9: Final, Lahore (or Dubai if India qualifies).
Both semi-finals and the final will include reserve days in case of adverse weather conditions.
The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious cricket tournament held every four years, featuring the top cricketing nations competing in a limited-overs format. The 2025 edition is significant as it will be hosted in Pakistan and Dubai simultaneously, serving as a platform for national teams to showcase their talents. Given the historical tension between India and Pakistan, their matches draw considerable attention from cricket enthusiasts around the globe, making the tournament an exciting and important event in the cricket calendar. This is notable since Pakistan has not hosted a global cricket event since 1996, establishing this Champions Trophy as a landmark occasion for the host nation.
In summary, the release of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy fixtures has generated considerable excitement, especially regarding the match between India and Pakistan. Set to take place in Dubai, this tournament marks an essential moment for Pakistan as it returns to hosting international cricket events. The involvement of powerhouse teams and historical rivalries promises to cultivate an engaging atmosphere, making this a significant chapter in the world of cricket.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
