Champions Trophy 2025: Key dates revealed, India vs Pakistan clash set for February 23

India’s upcoming matches ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place in the UAE, a decision cemented after a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, the head of the Emirates Cricket Board.

The much-awaited India vs Pakistan group stage match is scheduled for Sunday, February 23 in Dubai. India’s other group matches include matches against Bangladesh on February 20 and New Zealand on March 2, which are also likely to be held in Dubai.

Reigning champions Pakistan will begin their campaign on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi. They will play their last match of the group stage against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.

Structure and schedule of the tournament

The tournament has two groups:

Group A: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa

Matches outside India’s schedule will be held across Pakistan in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

The semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with a reserve day allocated for the second semi-final only. If India qualify for the semi-finals, their match will take place in the United Arab Emirates; otherwise it will take place in Pakistan. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Lahore, with a provision to move to the UAE if India reach the final.

Hybrid model agreement

The 2025 Champions Trophy will operate under a hybrid hosting model. Under this agreement, Pakistan’s matches at ICC events hosted by India till 2027 will also be played at neutral venues. This model ensures the neutrality of the matches of the two countries, especially during the qualifiers.

The agreement extends to future ICC events including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and the World Cup Women’s T20 2028 in Pakistan.

This innovative approach aims to balance cricketing ties amid political sensitivities, ensuring the participation of both nations while providing a neutral ground for their high-stakes encounters.