ICC Champions Trophy: India to play Pakistan on Feb 23 in Dubai; check group-wise full schedule

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday released the official schedule for the Champions Trophy. The much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, in Dubai. Besides Pakistan, the other two teams in India's group are Bangladesh and New Zealand. India will play Bangladesh on 20 February, and New Zealand on 2 March. These two games will also be held in Dubai.

Defending champions and hosts Pakistan will open the tournament on 19 February, facing New Zealand in Karachi. Pakistan's last group stage match will be against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on 27 February.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 March (no reserve day) and 5 March (with a reserve day). The final will take place on 9 March, with a reserve day available.


The first semi-final will be held in the UAE, while the final is planned for Lahore. However, if India reaches the final, it may be moved to the UAE.

The other group, Group B, features Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa. The matches for both groups - apart from the ones involving India - will be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

The decision to keep India's matches in the UAE came after Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, met with senior UAE minister and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) head Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak in Pakistan.

"The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy," PCB spokesperson Amir Mir had said after the meeting.

The hybrid model had been finalised after India and Pakistan both refused to visit the other. As a result, a solution was found with their matches at ICC events hosted by the other, till 2027, will be held at a neutral venue. Subsequently, the knockout games will also be held at neutral venues.

Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule:

Groups:

Group A - India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh

Group B - South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England

Champions Trophy Schedule:

19 February, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan

20 February, India v Bangladesh, Dubai

21 February, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan

22 February, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan

23 February, India v Pakistan, 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, India v New Zealand, 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