ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Groups, fixtures, schedule, live on Sky Sports | Cricket News happymamay

The ICC Champions Trophy schedule has been announced ahead of the tournament’s much-awaited return in 2025.

The 50-over competition returns to the international calendar for the first time since 2017, with Pakistan staging a global cricket event for the first time since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

Defending champions and hosts Pakistan begin the 15-match, eight-team tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.

Bangladesh and India join Pakistan and New Zealand in the first group, while Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa are in the second group.

England’s first match of the tournament will see them take on 2006 and 2009 winners Australia in Lahore on February 22, before a can’t-miss clash between Pakistan and India on February 23 in Dubai.

Following the conclusion of the 12 group stage matches, the top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners of the final in Lahore on March 9 competing for the Champions Trophy and a special white shirt. jacket.

Where are the matches held?

Stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host matches in Pakistan, while India’s matches will be played in the UAE.

The neutral venue in Dubai was chosen after FIFA confirmed that all matches between Pakistan and India in ICC tournaments, both men’s and women’s, including next year’s Women’s World Cup, will be played at neutral venues until at least 2027.

Political tensions between the two countries have strained sporting relations, and India, the richest and most powerful cricketing nation, has not played a match in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.

As a result, India will play in Semi-Final 1 in Dubai if they qualify, with Pakistan set to play in Semi-Final 2 in Lahore if they qualify. The final, scheduled to be held in Lahore on March 9, will also be moved to the UAE if India qualifies.

ICC Champions Trophy Schedule

Group A

February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand (Karachi).

February 20: Bangladesh vs India (Dubai)

February 23: Pakistan vs India (Dubai)

February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand (Rawalpindi)

February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Rawalpindi)

February 28: Afghanistan vs. Australia (Lahore).

Group B

February 21: Afghanistan vs. South Africa (Karachi).

February 22: Australia vs England (Lahore).

February 25: Australia vs. South Africa (Rawalpindi)

February 26: Afghanistan vs. England (Lahore).

March 1: South Africa vs. England (Karachi).

March 2: New Zealand vs India (Dubai)

Semi-final

March 4: Semi-Final 1, A1 vs. B2 (Dubai)*

March 5: Semi-Final 2, A2 vs B1 (Lahore)**

last

March 9: Winner of Semi-Final 1 vs Winner of Semi-Final 2 (Lahore)***

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