Wed Dec 25 07:33:37 UTC 2024: ## India to Play Pakistan in Dubai for 2025 Champions Trophy
**Dubai, UAE** – The schedule for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan, has been released. Eight teams will participate, but due to security concerns, India will play its matches in Dubai. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash is set for February 23rd in the group stage.
The 19-day tournament, featuring 15 matches, runs from February 19th to March 9th, culminating in a final on March 9th. Should India reach the final, five of their matches will be played in Dubai.
Teams have been divided into two groups. A round-robin format will see the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.
This will be the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy. Only two teams, India and Australia, have won the tournament twice. India’s wins came in 2002 (joint winners with Sri Lanka) and 2013, while Australia triumphed in 2006 and 2009. Pakistan won the tournament for the first time in 2017.
**Past Champions Trophy Winners:**
* 1998: South Africa
* 2000: New Zealand
* 2002: Sri Lanka/India (Joint Winners)
* 2004: West Indies
* 2006: Australia
* 2009: Australia
* 2013: India
* 2017: Pakistan
First Piper 