The much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on February 19, with Pakistan hosting the tournament for the first time in decades.
In this regard, the proposed schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been unveiled.
The opening match will see Pakistan face New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium, setting the stage for a thrilling cricket season.
One of the marquee moments of the tournament, the highly awaited Pakistan-India clash, is scheduled for February 23.
The venue for this clash remains undisclosed but will follow the ICC’s recently introduced neutral venue policy for India-Pakistan matches in international events, ensuring the contest garners massive global attention.
Key Schedule Highlights
Opening Match: Pakistan vs. New Zealand – February 19, Karachi
Australia vs. England: February 22, Lahore
Pakistan vs. India: February 23, venue to be announced
Afghanistan vs. England: February 26, Lahore
Pakistan vs. Bangladesh: February 27, Rawalpindi
Afghanistan vs. Australia: February 28, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Knockout stages and final:
According to the proposed plan, one semi-final will be held in Lahore, while the other will be played at a neutral venue. The final is scheduled for 9 March in Lahore. However, if India qualifies, the match will be moved to a neutral venue to address logistical and diplomatic considerations.
Neutral venue policy:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has adopted a neutral venue policy for matches between India and Pakistan during the 2024-2027 rights cycle. This policy extends to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. It will also apply to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which Pakistan will host.
The ICC is expected to announce the finalized schedule for the event soon.
ICC assures Pak of extra event
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared key updates during a Governing Board meeting yesterday in Islamabad, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi. Attendees were briefed on the progress surrounding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and significant developments were highlighted.
According to sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that agreements with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had been finalized, with only documentation pending. The final Champions Trophy schedule is expected to be announced within the next 1-2 days.