Champions Trophy 2025: Complete Guide, India vs Pakistan Clash on February 23 in Dubai

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy returns after an eight-year hiatus with 15 matches, featuring archrivals India and Pakistan in a highly anticipated group-stage encounter.

February 7, 2025: ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule: India vs Pakistan Set for February 23 in Dubai

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is back after eight long years, and cricket fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan. Scheduled for February 23, the group-stage match will take place at the Dubai International Stadium.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the schedule on Tuesday, marking the return of the eight-team tournament, which will feature 15 matches spread over 19 days. The competition will run from February 19 to March 9, with defending champions Pakistan serving as the primary hosts.

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Tournament Format and Groups:

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The participating teams are divided into two groups:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand
• Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa

The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The first semi-final is set for March 4 in Dubai, while the second will take place on March 5 in Lahore. Depending on the finalists, the championship match on March 9 will either be hosted in Dubai or Lahore.

Key Matches to Watch:

• Opening Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand (February 19, Karachi)
• India’s First Match: India vs Bangladesh (February 20, Dubai)
• India vs Pakistan: February 23, Dubai
• Semi-finals: March 4 (Dubai) and March 5 (Lahore)
• Final: March 9

Hosting Details:

Pakistan, hosting its first major ICC event since the 1996 ODI World Cup, will stage matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, all of India’s matches, including a potential final, will be played in the UAE at a neutral venue due to ongoing diplomatic considerations.

ICC Champions Trophy History:

Since its inception in 1998 in Bangladesh, the Champions Trophy has crowned winners like South Africa, West Indies, Australia (twice), India (twice, including a shared title with Sri Lanka), and Pakistan. The last edition was held in 2017, with Pakistan defeating India in a memorable final.

Full Match Schedule:

• February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Group A, Karachi
• February 20: India vs Bangladesh, Group A, Dubai
• February 23: India vs Pakistan, Group A, Dubai
• March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai
• March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore
• March 9: Final, Dubai/Lahore

For cricket fans, this edition of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy promises high-intensity action, historic rivalries, and unforgettable moments.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India vs Pakistan, cricket schedule, Dubai matches, international cricket, Pakistan hosts ICC, group-stage matches, ICC events, cricket rivalries, India cricket team