Tue Dec 24 13:05:03 UTC 2024: ## ICC Announces 2025 Champions Trophy Schedule: India-Pakistan Clash Highlights Hybrid Tournament

**Dubai/Karachi, [Date of Publication]:** The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally unveiled the schedule for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025, a hybrid tournament to be jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UAE. The tournament, featuring eight teams, kicks off on February 19th with a clash between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. The final is slated for March 9th, with a reserve day scheduled for March 10th.

The tournament will see a mix of matches in Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi) and Dubai, UAE. India, playing all its matches in Dubai, begins its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20th and will face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23rd.

The teams are divided into two groups: Group A comprises Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh; while Group B includes South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. All matches will be day-night encounters.

A key element of the schedule is the final’s venue: Lahore will host the final unless India qualifies, in which case it will be shifted to Dubai. Similarly, the first semi-final will be played in Dubai, while the second will be held in Lahore. Both semi-finals will have reserve days.

The ICC’s decision to adopt a hybrid model aims to address concerns while still offering a vibrant cricketing spectacle across multiple venues. The full schedule is available on the ICC website. Cricket fans worldwide eagerly anticipate this clash of cricketing titans.

Read More