Champions Trophy: India-Pak clash on Feb 23 in Dubai, final on March 9
Dubai, Dec 25 (IANS/WISHAVWARTA) India will take on defending champions and arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on February 23 in the Champions Trophy 2025 as the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the marquee tournament, set to begin on February 19.
In the tournament opener, hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in Karachi with the final scheduled for March 9. The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, played across venues in Pakistan and Dubai.
The teams are divided into two groups: Group A of the tournament features current Champions Trophy holders and hosts Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B features Cricket World Cup 2023 champions Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa.
Pakistan will host most of the matches, but all of India’s group games and the first semi-final will be played in Dubai.
In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to play host to the tournament. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.
If India qualifies for the final, it will also be moved to Dubai; otherwise, Lahore will host the championship match. Reserve days are scheduled for both semi-finals and the final.
The Dubai leg begins on February 20 with India taking on Bangladesh. Group B campaign begins on February 21, with Afghanistan squaring up against South Africa in Karachi.
A big weekend then kicks off with rivals England and Australia set to clash in Lahore on February 22, with the much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash set for the day later.
Groups:
Group A – Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
Group B – South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
Champions Trophy 2025 schedule:
February 19, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
February 20, Bangladesh v India, Dubai
February 21, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
February 22, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan
February 23, Pakistan v India, Dubai
February 24, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 25, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 26, Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan
February 27, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 28, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
March 1, South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan
March 2, New Zealand v India, Dubai
March 4, Semi-final 1, Dubai
March 5, Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
March 9, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)
March 10, Reserve day
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