ICC Champions Trophy Tour Wraps UP Australian Leg, Sparks Excitement Among Fans For Eight-Team Tournament

January 11, 2025: The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour recently completed its Australian leg, sparking excitement and inspiring cricket fans ahead of the tournament, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The tour made stops in Melbourne and Sydney, visiting iconic locations and engaging fans with various activities. One of the highlights was the opportunity for fans and media to interact with former Australian all-rounder and two-time ICC Champions Trophy winner Shane Watson. Watson shared his insights on the tournament and offered predictions for the upcoming edition.

The trophy also made appearances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, visiting the fourth and fifth Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. Former cricket stars like Irfan Pathan, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Vaughan, and Justin Langer posed with the trophy, further amplifying the event’s excitement.

In Melbourne, the trophy was displayed at famous landmarks such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Flinders Street, Yarra River, and Hosier Lane. After Melbourne, the tour continued to Sydney, where it was showcased at iconic spots like Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour will continue through all eight participating nations. Following the Australian leg, it is set to visit Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa, keeping the buzz surrounding the tournament alive.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 50-over matches, with the biggest clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan set for February 23 in Dubai. Group A will consist of hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

The tournament will take place across three venues in Pakistan—Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi—with Lahore set to host the second semi-final and the final on March 9, unless India qualifies, in which case it will be held in Dubai. The semi-finals and final will also have reserve days.

The tournament kicks off with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the Group A opener in Karachi on February 19, followed by India vs. Bangladesh in Dubai the next day. Group B starts on February 21 with Afghanistan taking on South Africa in Karachi. The much-anticipated England vs. Australia match will be held in Lahore on February 22, with the India-Pakistan clash the following day.

The eight teams competing for the coveted Champions Trophy are the top eight finishers from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.