Champions Trophy 2025: India will play all its Champions Trophy league matches in Dubai including the clash against arch-rival Pakistan on February 23. The International Cricket Council announced this on Tuesday. PTI had told last week itself that if India qualifies, it will play all its matches including the semi-finals and final in Dubai. As has been the case in ICC events, India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group. New Zealand and Bangladesh are also in this group. Group B includes South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England. The opening match of the tournament will be played on 19 February in Karachi. In this match, host Pakistan will face New Zealand. Its final will be held on March 9.
Let us tell you that after the announcement of Champions Trophy schedule by ICC, there is an uproar in Pakistani media. Pakistani experts are especially criticizing BCCI and ICC. Actually, 11 matches of Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan in which there is a final and a semi-final. Let us tell you that if the Indian team reaches the final then the final will be played in Dubai whereas if the other team reaches the final then the final will be played in Lahore.
Ruckus in Pakistani media
In such a situation, Pakistani media is very upset about the schedule and it is being said from Pakistani media that this has been done deliberately. There are also talks going on in the Pakistani media that Pakistan has been kept away from hosting at least five matches. While debating on Sama TV, Pakistani experts have expressed their displeasure against ICC and BCCI.
sama tv While debating, the expert said, “Two venues have been fixed for the final, which is absolutely wrong. Now if India and Pakistan reach the final, then Pakistan will have to go to Dubai and play. This is wrong with us. ICC has only accepted BCCI’s point which is wrong. Not only this, after the announcement of the schedule the teams do not even know where the final will be played, in Dubai or Pakistan.”
BCI has won
Pakistani media is not able to tolerate that two venues are being decided for the final. Pakistan feels that BCI has won here. From Pakistan side it is believed that ICC has betrayed Pakistan. If we play against India in the final, we will have to go to Dubai.
India and Pakistan match on 23 February
The match between India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played on 23 February, which will be held in Dubai. Let us tell you that Pakistan had won the title by defeating India in the final of 2017 Champions Trophy. In such a situation, this time the Indian team would like to avenge that defeat.
Complete schedule of Champions Trophy (Champions Trophy 2025 schedule)
- 19 February – Pakistan vs New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi
- 20 February – Bangladesh vs India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- 21 February – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
- 22 February – Australia vs England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 23 February – Pakistan vs India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- 24 February – Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- 25 February – Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- 26 February – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 27 February – Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- 28 February – Afghanistan vs Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- March 1 – South Africa vs England, National Stadium, Karachi
- March 2 – New Zealand vs India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- March 4 – First Semi-Final, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- March 5 – Second Semi-Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- March 9 – Final – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Dubai if India qualifies)
If India qualifies then it will play the first semi-final. Which will take place in Dubai.
If Pakistan qualifies, it will play the second semi-final, which will be held in Lahore.