The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy has been announced ahead of the tournament’s long-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 kick the 15-match, eight-team tournament off against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.
Bangladesh and India join Pakistan and New Zealand in Group A, with Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa placed in Group B.
England’s first match of the tournament sees them face 2006 and 2009 winners Australia in Lahore on February 22 ahead of an unmissable contest between Pakistan and India on February 23 in Dubai.
After the conclusion of the 12 group-stage matches, the top two sides in each group will progress to the semi-finals, with the winners competing in the final in Lahore on March 9 to get their hands on the Champions Trophy and an iconic white jacket.
Where are matches being played?
Stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host matches in Pakistan, with matches involving India held in the United Arab Emirates.
The neutral venue in Dubai was selected after the ICC confirmed all matches between Pakistan and India in ICC tournaments, both men and women’s and including next year’s Women’s World Cup, will be played at neutral venues up until at least 2027.
Political tensions between the two nations have led to strained sporting relations and India, cricket’s richest and most powerful country, have not played a game in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
As a result, India will play in semi-final 1 in Dubai if they qualify, with Pakistan assigned semi-final 2 in Lahore if they progress. The final, which is scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 9, will also be moved to the UAE if India qualify.
ICC Champions Trophy schedule
Group A
Feb 19: Pakistan v New Zealand (Karachi)
Feb 20: Bangladesh v India (Dubai)
Feb 23: Pakistan v India (Dubai)
Feb 24: Bangladesh v New Zealand (Rawalpindi)
Feb 27: Pakistan v Bangladesh (Rawalpindi)
Feb 28: Afghanistan v Australia (Lahore)
Group B
Feb 21: Afghanistan v South Africa (Karachi)
Feb 22: Australia v England (Lahore)
Feb 25: Australia v South Africa (Rawalpindi)
Feb 26: Afghanistan v England (Lahore)
Mar 1: South Africa v England (Karachi)
Mar 2: New Zealand v India (Dubai)
Semi-finals
Mar 4: Semi-final 1, A1 v B2 (Dubai)*
Mar 5: Semi-final 2, A2 v B1 (Lahore)**
Final
Mar 9: Winner of semi-final 1 v Winner of semi-final 2 (Lahore)***
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