Champions Trophy 2025: Key dates revealed, India vs Pakistan scheduled to take place on February 23

India’s upcoming matches ICC Champions Cup 2025 The tournament will be held in the UAE, a decision that was confirmed after a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE Cricket Board.

The much-awaited group stage match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 23 in Dubai. India’s other matches in the group include matches against Bangladesh on February 20 and New Zealand on March 2, which Dubai is also likely to host.

Pakistan, the defending champion, will begin its tournament campaign on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi. They will play their final group stage match against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.

Tournament structure and schedule

The tournament includes two groups:

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

India’s off-schedule matches will be played across Pakistan in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

The semi-final matches are scheduled to be held on March 4 and 5, with only a reserve day allocated for the second semi-final. If India advances to the semi-finals, their match will be hosted in the UAE. Otherwise it will be in Pakistan. The final is scheduled to be held on March 9 in Lahore, with the possibility of being moved to the UAE if India reaches the final.

Hybrid model agreement

The 2025 Champions Cup will be run under a hybrid hosting model. Under the arrangement, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India until 2027 will also be played at neutral venues. This model ensures neutrality in the two countries’ matches, especially during the knockout rounds.

The agreement extends to future ICC events, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup in Pakistan.

This innovative approach aims to balance cricket relations amid political sensitivities, ensuring the participation of both countries while providing a neutral ground for their high-stakes encounters.