India vs Pakistan 2025 ICC Champions Trophy match likely to be held in Dubai on a Sunday: Reports

The marquee India vs Pakistan clash in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is reportedly set to be held in Dubai on Sunday, February 23. Team India are likely to play all their games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a hybrid model.

As per reports, UAE was finalized as the venue for India's Champions Trophy matches following a meeting between Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) chief Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

A report in ESPNcricinfo on Sunday, December 22 claimed that the high-octane India vs Pakistan clash would be played in Dubai on February 23. The report added that apart from Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand have also been placed in India's group. The Men in Blue are likely to face Bangladesh on February 20, and New Zealand on March 2. The games are also likely to be held in Dubai.

The second group for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is likely to feature Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa. Apart from India's matches, all games in the tournament are likely to be played across three venues in Pakistan - Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

The report further claimed that the 2025 Champions Trophy will kick off with a match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. Pakistan's last league match is set to be played against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Meanwhile, the two semifinals of the tournament are scheduled for March 4 and March 5, while the Champions Trophy final will be held on March 9. If India reaches the knockouts, their semifinal will be played in the UAE, if not both the semis will be held in Pakistan. Similarly, the final will be held in Lahore if India doesn't qualify and in the UAE if the Men in Blue make it to the summit clash.

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Hybrid model for India-Pakistan ICC matches to extend beyond Champions Trophy

The deadlock between the PCB and the BCCI was recently resolved after it was agreed that India would play their Champions Trophy matches in a hybrid model. In return, Pakistan’s matches at ICC events hosted by India will also be held at a neutral venue till 2027. The arrangement includes the semifinals and the final as well

Apart from the Champions Trophy, the said agreement will also apply to the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.