Champions Trophy 2025 (Source : Twitter)
Latest reports have confirmed the schedule for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by reigning champions Pakistan in February-March next year.
According to the schedule, the marquee clash of the 2017 finalists India and Pakistan has been marked for March 01, while another age-old rivals, England and Australia, will meet on February 22. Both the high-profile encounters are set to be hosted by Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi and Karachi are the two other host cities, allotted multiple matches for the multinational tournament.
According to The Telegraph, the hosts will be seen squaring off against New Zealand on February 19 for the tournament opener, while the last group stage encounter will be played between England and South Africa at Rawalpindi on March 02. The final will be hosted in Lahore itself, and interestingly, India will also be playing all of their matches at the venue.
The report further suggests that the eight teams have been divided into two groups, four each. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa will compete in Group B.
The tournament holds added significance as it marks Pakistan’s first hosting of an ICC event since 1996, when they co-hosted the 50-over World Cup.
While neighbouring India’s participation remains a mystery, the fixture marks their first visit to Pakistan since 2008. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has asserted that decisions regarding tours to the country are guided by the Government of India. For the unversed, in the previous Asia Cup hosted in Pakistan, all of India’s matches were relocated to Sri Lanka.
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Should India decline to visit, organizers of the tournament may need to explore alternative venues, potentially in countries like the United Arab Emirates. In planning the schedule, Pakistan has aimed to minimize logistical complexities for India. India’s three group-stage matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan are scheduled in Lahore, conveniently located just hours from the Indian border and easily accessible by road.
Among the teams in the preliminary schedule, India is the only one not required to relocate venues between their group-stage fixtures. The Pakistan Cricket Board hopes that this strategic scheduling will encourage Indian supporters to travel and rally behind their team.