The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the schedule for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and Dubai. The tournament will return after an eight-year hiatus, with Pakistan hosting its first global cricket tournament since 1996. Dubai will serve as a neutral venue for several key matches.
The 15-match, eight-team event will be held across four venues: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi in Pakistan, and Dubai in the UAE.
Tournament Format and Groups
The tournament will feature two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
- Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa
The competition kicks off on February 19 with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi. Some other key matches include:
- February 20: Bangladesh vs India in Dubai
- February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa in Karachi
- February 22: Australia vs England in Lahore
- February 23: Pakistan vs India in Dubai
The Pakistan vs India clash on February 23 will be one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches.
Semi-Finals and Final
The semi-finals will be held on March 4 and March 5, with the first semi-final in Dubai and the second in Lahore. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Lahore, but if India qualifies, the final will be moved to Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
Full Schedule of ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
- Feb 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
- Feb 20: Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
- Feb 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
- Feb 22: Australia vs England, Lahore
- Feb 23: Pakistan vs India, Dubai
- Feb 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
- Feb 25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi
- Feb 26: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
- Feb 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
- Feb 28: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore
- Mar 1: South Africa vs England, Karachi
- Mar 2: New Zealand vs India, Dubai
- Mar 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai
- Mar 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
- Mar 9: Final, Lahore (unless India qualifies, then in Dubai)
All matches will start at 14:00 Pakistan Standard Time.
Excitement for the Tournament
ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed excitement about the return of the Champions Trophy, highlighting the combination of heritage and modernity that Pakistan and Dubai will bring to the tournament. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also welcomed the announcement, saying hosting the Champions Trophy is a significant milestone for the country. Pakistan is excited to offer a memorable experience for players, officials, and fans.
Past Champions
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy has a rich history, with Australia and India both winning the tournament twice. Other past winners include South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, and Pakistan.
The 2025 tournament promises to be an exciting competition, bringing the world’s best cricket teams to Pakistan and Dubai.
