The Dubai leg will commence the following day with India taking on Bangladesh.
ICC unveils official schedule for Champions Trophy 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday finally unveiled the official fixtures and groupings for the much-anticipated, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19 in Karachi.
The upcoming eight-team tournament will feature 15 day-night matches and will be played across Pakistan and a natural venue in Dubai for Indian matches, the ICC said in a statement.
Each Pakistan venue — Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi — will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final and final on March 9.
In case India qualifies for the final, the match will be played in Dubai and both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days, the statement read.
The opening match will be played in Karachi between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19. The Dubai leg will commence the following day with India taking on Bangladesh.
The much-awaited rival clash between Pakistan and India will be played on February 23 in Dubai. “The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai,” it read.
As per the top cricketing body, Group A will consist of defending champions and hosts Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England, and South Africa will feature in Group B to win the famous white winners’ jackets.
Champions Trophy schedule
February 19, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi
February 20, Bangladesh v India, Dubai, UAE
February 21, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi
February 22, Australia v England, Lahore
February 23, Pakistan v India, Dubai
February 24, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi
February 25, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 26, Afghanistan v England, Lahore
February 27, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
February 28, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore
March 1, South Africa v England, Karachi
March 2, New Zealand v India, Dubai, UAE
March 4, Semi-final 1, Dubai, UAE
March 5, Semi-final 2, Lahore
March 9, Final, Lahore (unless India qualifies, when it will be played in Dubai)
March 10, Reserve day