Champions Trophy: India vs Pakistan on February 23 as ICC announces full schedule

Champions Trophy: The ICC announced the full schedule of the Champions Trophy on Tuesday, December 24. The India vs Pakistan group stage game is set to be played on February 23. In case India qualify for the final, the match will be played in Dubai.

In Short

• ICC Champions Trophy schedule out, tournament kicks off on Feb 19
• Hybrid model to be followed, matches split between Pakistan, UAE
• India's three league-stage games will take place in Dubai

The International Cricket Council announced the full schedule for the Champions Trophy on Tuesday, December 24. The board announced the schedule for all the teams, including the venues where the games will be played. The ICC announced that Pakistan will host the tournament alongside the United Arab Emirates since the PCB agreed to a hybrid model to accommodate India.

The marquee match of India vs Pakistan is set to be played on February 23 in Dubai. In case India reach the final of the tournament, Dubai will host the summit clash. The ICC announced that the tournament will kick off on 19 February with Pakistan vs New Zealand in Karachi and will run till March 9. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

All matches will begin at 2:30 PM IST. Star Sports will be broadcast all the games in India.

HYBRID MODEL FOR CHAMPIONS TROPHY

The ICC approved a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, with matches split between Pakistan and the UAE. The arrangement was finalised after an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Under this model, Pakistan will host 10 matches, while India’s three league-stage games, including the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan, will take place in Dubai. One of the semi-finals and the final will also be played in Dubai. If India do not reach the final, the summit clash will be played in Lahore.

This agreement addresses logistical and geopolitical challenges while ensuring smooth planning for these marquee tournaments, earning positive feedback from all stakeholders.

CHAMPIONS TROPHY GROUPS

Group A: Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan

Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa

Champions Trophy 2025: SCHEDULE

19 Feb – Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi

20 Feb – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

21 Feb – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi

22 Feb – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

23 Feb – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

24 Feb - Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

25 Feb – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

26 Feb – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

27 Feb – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

28 Feb – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

1 Mar – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi

2 Mar – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

4 Mar – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai*

5 Mar – Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore**

9 Mar – Final - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore***

All matches start at 2:30 PM Indian Standard Time

* Semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify

**Semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify

* If India qualify for the final it will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

PAKISTAN DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

The Champions Trophy was last played in 2017 when a spirited Mohammed Amir helped the team beat Virat Kohli's India. Pakistan had batted first in the game scoring 338 runs owing to Fakhar Zaman's hundred, after which Mohammed Amir ran through the top-order - bowling India out for just 158 runs.

Pakistan are going into the tournament in good form as well. After months of turmoil with the national team, Pakistan have found a new leader in Mohammed Rizwan, who has won two overseas tours in Australia and South Africa in the 50-over format.