Pakistan to face India in Dubai as 2025 Champions Trophy fixtures unveiled by ICC

Pakistan will meet arch-rivals India in Dubai in the standout group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy on February 23 after the ICC announced the schedule for the cricket showpiece event on Tuesday. India refused to travel to Pakistan, which is hosting the tournament, over strained political relations and security concerns, which forced the ICC to delay its announcement for more than a month. Pakistan will stage a minimum of 10 games in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore, while India will play their three Group A matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai. If India qualify for the semi-finals and the final, those games will also be staged in Dubai. “The ICC is delighted to release the schedule … marking the tournament’s much-anticipated first return since 2017,” ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement. “The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment. “This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity.” Pakistan white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan said: “Our country is known for its great hospitality and I am sure the fans will not only support our team, but also appreciate the performances of other teams” Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa will play all their Group B games in Pakistan. Defending champion Pakistan are hosting their first global cricket event since 1996. After long deliberations between the ICC Board members, the game’s governing body has also agreed that Pakistan will not play in India in the 2024-27 cycle. It is a tit-for-tat response to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. That means Pakistan will go to a neutral venue when India host the 2025 Women’s World Cup and co-host the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka. As compensation for not hosting India at the Champions Trophy, the ICC awarded the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup to Pakistan. “We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of co-operation and collaboration that defines our sport,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.” Naqvi said that hosting the Champions Trophy “is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organiser. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials and fans alike.” The tournament begins in Karachi on February 19 when Pakistan take on New Zealand. Political tensions between Pakistan and India have prevented their teams from touring each other’s country since 2012, when Pakistan went to India for a bilateral one-day international series. Both teams face each other regularly in ICC tournaments – Pakistan went to India last year for the Men’s World Cup. But before that event, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and played all its games in Sri Lanka. The PCB has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi and hopes the work will be completed by mid-January. Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh Group B: South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England Feb 19: Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi Feb 20: Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Feb 21: Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi Feb 22: Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Feb 23: Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Feb 24: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Feb 25: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Feb 26: Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Feb 27: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Feb 28: Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Mar 1: South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi Mar 2: New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Mar 4: Semi-final 1: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai* Mar 5 : Semi-final 2: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore** Mar 9: Final: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore*** *Semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify **Semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify *** If India qualify for the final it will be played in Dubai.

Pakistan to face India in Dubai as 2025 Champions Trophy fixtures unveiled by ICC

UAE will also host semi-final and final if India reach later stages of tournament, which begins on February 19