The wait for the official fixtures of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy finally ended on Tuesday – with the marquee India versus Pakistan group league match scheduled in Dubai on Sunday, 23 February 2025. All three India’s group league matches will be held in Dubai as per the hybrid model agreed upon along with the first semi-final.

The first of the semi-finals on 4 March will be held in Dubai (irrespective of the qualifiers) and the second semis is scheduled in Lahore the next day. The final will be held in Lahore on 9 March but in case India qualify for the title-match, it will be shifted to Dubai

‘’We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport,’’ said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

‘’Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket,’’ he observed.

Pakistan, defending champions of the last edition of the tournament held in 2017, will kickstart their campaign with a clash against New Zealand on 19 February. Bangladesh are the fourth team in Group A alongside India, New Zealand and Pakistan. Group B has Afghanistan, South Africa, Australia and England.

The first clash of Group B will see Afghanistan, first-time participants, take on inaugural champions South Africa on 21 February in Karachi. The marquee fixture between Australia and England will be played on 22 February in Lahore. Rawalpindi is the third venue in Pakistan to have been allocated games with two of them featuring Bangladesh.

Returning to the ICC calendar after eight years, it faced several challenges after the BCCI confirmed their refusal to play in Pakistan. The prolonged uncertainty finally came to an end on 19 December when the ICC approved neutral venues for India-Pakistan games in the global events in the next three years. Once that was finalised, the PCB opted for UAE as the neutral venue over Sri Lanka.

Groups

Schedule

19 February: Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan

20 February: Bangladesh v India, Dubai

21 February:  Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan

22 February: Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan

23 February: Pakistan v India, Dubai

24 February: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

25 February: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

26 February: Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan

27 February: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

28 February: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan

1 March: South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan

2 March: New Zealand v India, Dubai

4 March: Semi-final 1, Dubai

5 March: Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan

9 March: Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)

10 March: Reserve day

*All matches will be day-night affairs