ICC Champions Trophy Groups

The ICC Men's Champions Trophy is a premier tournament governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) which operates on a four-year cycle in the ODI format. The inaugural edition took place in 1998 in Bangladesh, and the second was held in Kenya in 2000, with both nations being part of the ICC's Associate membership then. Initially structured as a biennial competition, the event underwent rebranding in 2002 by adopting the title ICC Champions Trophy and continued on a two-year cycle until 2009.

South Africa won the inaugural edition in 1998, defeating the West Indies in the final. Subsequent editions saw New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, Australia, and Pakistan claim the title. Of these teams, Australia and India are the only ones to have won the tournament twice. India emerged victorious in 2002 and 2013, while Australia achieved triumphs in 2006 and 2009, becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles.

What are the groups for the ICC Champions Trophy?

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy is set to make a grand return in 2025, after an eight-year hiatus since its last edition in 2017. The prestigious tournament will be jointly hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The competition will feature eight top-ranked One Day International teams, divided into two groups - Group A and Group B - with four teams in each group.

Group A includes New Zealand, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, whereas Group B comprises South Africa, Australia, England, and Afghanistan. Each team will compete against the other three teams within its group during the group stage, resulting in 12 group-stage matches. Following this phase, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, leading up to the grand final. In total, the tournament will comprise 15 matches, including the group stage, two semifinals, and the final.

ICC Champions Trophy: Group A Matches

The opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will see Pakistan face New Zealand. This match will also serve as the first game of Group A and is scheduled to take place at National Stadium Karachi in Karachi on February 19, 2025.

The second match of Group A in the tournament will take place on February 20, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where India will face Bangladesh. This will also be the second match of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

On February 23, 2025, one of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament will unfold as India takes on their longstanding rival, Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This electrifying clash will mark the fifth match of the tournament and the third for Group A.

The 6th match of the tournament will feature Bangladesh taking on New Zealand at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 24, 2025. This match will be considered the fourth fixture of Group A.

Pakistan and Bangladesh shall contend at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 27, 2025. This encounter shall constitute the fifth fixture of Group A and the ninth match of the tournament.

India and New Zealand will face off in their final Group A clash of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2, 2025. This match marks the concluding fixture of the tournament's group stage.

ICC Champions Trophy: Group B Matches

The opening match of Group B in the ICC Champions Trophy will take place on February 21, 2025, at National Stadium Karachi, where Afghanistan will face South Africa. This will be the third match of the tournament overall.

The next Group B match will take place on February 22, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, featuring Australia against England. This will be the fourth match of the ICC Champions Trophy.

On February 25, 2025, South Africa will face Australia in the third Group B clash at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. This game marks the seventh encounter of the tournament.

Afghanistan and England will compete in their second match of the 2025 Champions Trophy at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on February 26. This encounter will be the 4th match in Group B and the 8th match of the tournament overall.

Afghanistan and Australia will face off in their final group-stage match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 28, 2025. This will be the 5th encounter in Group B and the 10th match of the tournament overall.

The final match of Group B will feature England taking on South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on March 1, 2025. This will be the penultimate fixture of the tournament, marking the 11th match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as well.