The ICC Champions Trophy is set to make a triumphant return in 2025, with Pakistan hosting the prestigious tournament from February 19 to March 9. This edition of the Champions Trophy will feature the top eight teams from the ICC ODI rankings: Pakistan, Australia, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa, Afghanistan, and England. Matches will be played across three iconic cities—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—starting with an exciting opener between Pakistan and New Zealand.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: A Brief History
The ICC Champions Trophy, once a regular feature in the cricketing calendar, was discontinued after the 2017 edition. However, in 2021, the ICC announced the revival of the tournament, with Pakistan selected to host the ninth edition. Pakistan’s selection as the host comes as they were the winners of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, having beaten arch-rivals India in a memorable final.
For Pakistan, the 2025 Champions Trophy holds special significance as it marks the first time the country will solely host an international cricket event since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which they co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. The excitement around the tournament is palpable, as Pakistan is eager to showcase its improved infrastructure and provide a thrilling experience for global cricket fans.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Groups and Teams
The tournament will see the eight top-ranked ODI teams in the world competing for glory. These teams have been divided into two groups, with each group playing a round-robin format, followed by the semi-finals and the grand final.
•Group A: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand
•Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan
One of the major talking points is the inclusion of India and Pakistan in the same group, setting the stage for yet another highly anticipated clash between the two cricketing giants. The intense rivalry between these teams will surely draw massive global attention.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule and Venues
The matches will be held in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The tournament will begin with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, 2025. Lahore is expected to host the marquee India-Pakistan match on March 1, 2025, a game that is certain to capture the imaginations of millions of fans worldwide.
Here is the schedule for the group stage:
•February 19, 2025: Pakistan vs New Zealand (Karachi)
•February 20, 2025: Bangladesh vs India (Lahore)
•February 21, 2025: Afghanistan vs South Africa (Karachi)
•February 22, 2025: Australia vs England (Lahore)
•February 23, 2025: New Zealand vs India (Rawalpindi)
•February 24, 2025: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Lahore)
•February 25, 2025: Afghanistan vs England (Lahore)
•February 26, 2025: Australia vs South Africa (Rawalpindi)
•February 27, 2025: Bangladesh vs New Zealand (Lahore)
•February 28, 2025: Afghanistan vs Australia (Rawalpindi)
•March 1, 2025: Pakistan vs India (Lahore)
•March 2, 2025: South Africa vs England (Rawalpindi)
The semi-finals are scheduled for March 5 in Karachi and March 6 in Rawalpindi, with the final set for March 9 in Lahore. If India reaches the semi-final stage, there are rumors that their match may be shifted to Lahore, minimizing their travel due to diplomatic concerns between India and Pakistan.
Will India Travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
One of the most pressing issues surrounding the tournament is whether India will travel to Pakistan, given the strained political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since 2008, the Indian cricket team has not played any bilateral series or major tournament in Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed concerns regarding the safety of the players and the security situation in Pakistan. While the BCCI initially deferred the decision to the Indian government, there are now strong indications that India may request the ICC to relocate their matches to a neutral venue, such as Sri Lanka or the UAE.
If the ICC agrees to this request, it would mark the second time a major tournament was shifted away from Pakistan due to India’s refusal to travel. The ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are yet to comment on this matter, but it remains a hot topic in the lead-up to the tournament.
India’s Squad and Leadership for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Despite the uncertainty surrounding India’s participation, the BCCI has already begun preparing its squad for the tournament. Rohit Sharma, the current captain of India’s ODI team, is expected to lead the side once again. Having recently captained India to victory in the 2023 T20 World Cup, Sharma’s leadership will be crucial as India looks to reclaim the Champions Trophy title they last won in 2013.
Key players like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to feature in the squad. Kohli’s vast experience, alongside Sharma’s captaincy, will provide the Indian team with the depth and resilience needed to navigate the high-pressure matches of the tournament.