3 major talking points from Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy returns for the first time since 2017, scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan. India’s matches, however, will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE.

A total of 15 games will be played, with Karachi and Rawalpindi each hosting three games. Lahore will stage five, including the final—unless Team India qualify for the summit clash.

The tournament will feature a round-robin format in the group stage, followed by knockout rounds. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Group A includes arch-rivals India and Pakistan, along with New Zealand and Bangladesh. Group B consists of England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the prestigious event.

If the Men in Blue qualify, they will play the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4. The final will also be held in Dubai if India makes it, but if they don’t, Lahore will host the final. All matches will be day-night fixtures, starting from 2:30 pm IST onwards.

With the fixtures and schedule now confirmed for the 2025 Champions, here are three key talking points.

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#1 Pakistan’s long wait to host an ICC event ends, but India’s matches set in the UAE

After a long wait, Pakistan is finally set to host an ICC event once again. It ends years of anticipation since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which was co-hosted by Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. The 2025 Champions Trophy will mark a historic milestone for Pakistan cricket, as the country is set to host this prestigious tournament in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.

However, despite Pakistan’s central role as the host nation, India’s matches in the tournament will not be held on Pakistani soil. Due to ongoing political and logistical issues, India’s games will be played in the UAE, with the Dubai International Cricket Stadium serving as the venue for the Men in Blue’s matches.

The situation arose following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event, leading to a significant deadlock. After months of negotiations, a hybrid model was agreed upon.

This model ensures that India’s matches will be played in the UAE, while Pakistan’s matches at ICC events hosted by India will also take place at neutral venues until 2027. As part of this agreement, the knockout stages, including the semi-finals and final, will also be played at neutral locations.

On December 19, the ICC issued a statement, which read:

"The ICC Board has approved that matches between India and Pakistan played at ICC Events during the current rights cycle from 2024 to 2027 (which are to be hosted in India or Pakistan) will be played at a neutral venue proposed by the tournament host. This will apply to the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (India), and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka)."

The compromise brings some resolution to the issue and allows the tournament to proceed smoothly, despite the challenges of organizing international events in the region. It also sets the stage for a new chapter in global cricket diplomacy, with neutral venues playing an increasingly important role in bridging gaps between rival nations.

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#2 India to face familiar rivals in Dubai with an unusual match schedule

India’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign will kick off with a match against Bangladesh on February 20. Following that, attention will turn to the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled for February 23. The last time India faced Pakistan in the Champions Trophy was in the 2017 final, where Pakistan triumphed by 180 runs to claim their first-ever title.

India’s final group-stage game will take place against New Zealand on March 2, after a long six-day break. This extended gap brings both advantages and challenges. On the positive side, the break gives India ample time to reflect on their performance, tweak their strategy, and fine-tune preparations depending on how the first two matches unfold.

However, the long gap could also disrupt the team’s rhythm, especially if they need to maintain sharp focus to secure a semi-final spot. The high stakes of the final group game against New Zealand could be impacted by the unusual delay, potentially leading to a slow start or a bit of rustiness.

On the flip side, if India qualify for the semi-finals, they will face the challenge of preparing with just one day in between. With limited time to rest or practice, the team will need to make quick decisions about how to stay sharp and ready for the knockout stages.

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#3 Afghanistan faces a tough challenge in their debut Champions Trophy campaign

In recent years, Afghanistan have made impressive strides in world cricket, quickly establishing themselves as one of the most improved teams. After reaching the semi-finals in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they are now gearing up for their debut in the 2025 Champions Trophy, a major milestone in their cricketing journey.

However, their path to the 2025 Champions Trophy will be far from easy. Drawn into a tough group with cricketing giants like Australia, England, and South Africa, Afghanistan faces a daunting challenge from the very beginning. The tournament will test how far they’ve come as a team and how they perform against some of the world’s top teams.

To make a strong impact, Afghanistan will rely on their key players, including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, to step up and deliver outstanding performances. While these players bring a wealth of experience, competing against such formidable opponents in a high-pressure tournament will be a tough learning experience.

With the strength of their opponents in Group B, Afghanistan face a difficult road to the semi-finals in their debut Champions Trophy. However, Afghanistan have always been a team that shows resilience and determination. Their chances of advancing will depend on how well they handle pressure, maintain consistency, and seize crucial moments throughout the tournament.