ICC Announces Fixtures and Groups for 2025 Champions Trophy

The eagerly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19 in Karachi, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealing the tournament’s fixtures and groupings on Tuesday.

This eight-team competition will feature 15 matches, hosted across Pakistan and Dubai. All matches will be played as day-night fixtures.

The final is slated to take place in Lahore on March 9, unless India qualifies, in which case it will be moved to Dubai. Both semi-finals, as well as the final, will have designated reserve days.

The tournament kicks off with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match of Group A in Karachi.

The action shifts to Dubai the following day, with India taking on Bangladesh in the first Group B match.

Group B’s games will begin on February 21, with Afghanistan clashing against South Africa in Karachi.

A highly anticipated weekend follows, starting with the England-Australia rivalry in Lahore on February 22, followed by the Pakistan-India showdown on February 23.

The eight participating teams, all of which finished in the top eight positions at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, will vie for the prestigious Champions Trophy title.

Group A features Pakistan (hosts), India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England.

Despite initial hurdles over security concerns preventing Indian players from traveling to Pakistan, both nations agreed on a hybrid model.

India will play their matches at neutral venues, with the UAE selected for their matches. Pakistan will also play at neutral venues during upcoming ICC events hosted by India.

The Champions Trophy will be the first in a series of high-profile ICC tournaments, with future editions of the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 also featuring similar neutral venue agreements.

Groups:

Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh

Group B: South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England

Champions Trophy Schedule:

February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi

February 20: Bangladesh vs India, Dubai

February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi

February 22: Australia vs England, Lahore

February 23: Pakistan vs India, Dubai

February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi

February 25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi

February 26: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore

February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi

February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore

March 1: South Africa vs England, Karachi

March 2: New Zealand vs India, Dubai

March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai

March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore

March 9: Final, Lahore (unless India qualifies, when it will be in Dubai)

March 10: Reserve day

ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed excitement about the tournament’s start, saying on X: “Very excited for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy to start in February.”