The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled Tuesday the long-awaited schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025. It is, indeed, a momentous day for global cricket with the event to be staged in the hybrid format as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his pride and optimism over the role that Pakistan will assume as host.
This is a historic moment for Pakistan, which last hosted a major ICC event during the 1996 World Cup.
The eight-team Champions Trophy 2025 will start on February 19 with the opening match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. The event will culminate with the final on March 9, set to be held in Lahore unless India qualifies, in which case it will shift to Dubai.
"We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showing the very spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport," Naqvi said on this landmark achievement for Pakistani cricket.
He further thanked the ICC for allowing Pakistan to host the tournament along with Dubai. "Hosting the Champions Trophy is a momentous occasion for Pakistan as we have always been eager to host cricket at its top level and demonstrate our competence as a first-class event host. Pakistan is ecstatic to host the world on the Champions Trophy and would be more than delighted to offer our signature hospitality," he said.
This hybrid format will ensure that most of the matches are held in Pakistan, with games scheduled at Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Each venue will host three group-stage matches. Dubai will host all of India's matches, including their opener against Bangladesh on February 20 and the much-anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 23.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah also took to X to share his feelings for the tournament.
Very excited for the @ICC Men's Champions Trophy to get underway in February," said a post on X.
The semifinals are on March 4 in Dubai and on March 5 in Lahore, with reserve days on both semi-finals and final.
If India qualifies to play in the final then it will also be moved to Dubai, else, the championship match will take place in Lahore.
The match on reserve days is scheduled both for the semi-finals and the final. The leg in Dubai begins on 20 February with India v Bangladesh. The Group B campaign begins on 21 February, when Afghanistan are up against South Africa at Karachi.
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