The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. This major tournament will feature the top eight One Day International (ODI) teams, including Pakistan, Australia, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa, Afghanistan, and England.
The matches will take place in three major cities: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The tournament will begin with an exciting opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand.
Cricket fans can expect thrilling action as these top teams battle for the ICC Champions Trophy (CT) title. With matches in different cities, cricket lovers in Pakistan will have the chance to enjoy world-class cricket on home ground.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
The ICC cancelled the Champions Trophy after the 2017 edition, but the prestigious event is returning in 2025. In 2021, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature the top eight teams ranked in men’s One Day International (ODI) standings.
According to the 2021 announcement, Pakistan will host the ninth edition of the tournament from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Pakistan earned this honour as the defending champions, having won the 2017 Champions Trophy.
This will be a historic event for Pakistan, as it will be the first major international cricket tournament they host entirely on their own. The last time Pakistan co-hosted a global cricket event was the 1996 Cricket World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already shared the schedule and groupings for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, building excitement for the much-anticipated tournament.
Teams did not Qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
As the host nation, Pakistan automatically secured a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The remaining seven teams qualified based on their performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, with only the top eight teams earning a place. India was the first to qualify, followed by strong teams like Australia and New Zealand.
Sri Lanka missed out on qualification after finishing 9th in the 2023 World Cup standings. England, despite a weaker performance in the World Cup, managed to secure the final spot for the Champions Trophy.
One of the key highlights is Afghanistan, making its debut in the Champions Trophy due to its impressive performance in the 2023 World Cup.
However, teams like the West Indies, Scotland, Zimbabwe, and Ireland will not participate in the 2025 tournament, as their failure to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup also excluded them from the Champions Trophy. This marks a major shift, with some historically strong teams missing from the event.
Teams Qualified for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be hosted by Pakistan, a cricket-loving nation. This tournament will bring together seven top teams from around the world, competing for one of the most prestigious titles in One Day International (ODI) cricket.
Afghanistan will make its debut in the Champions Trophy, marking a huge milestone for its cricket journey. Known for their strong spin bowling and fearless batting, Afghanistan has the potential to surprise even the top teams.
Australia, the current ODI World Cup champions, will come in with confidence, aiming to extend their winning run. With a mix of experienced players and rising stars, Australia remains a tough competitor.
Bangladesh, supported by their passionate fans, will look to make a mark in the tournament. In recent years, they have shown they can challenge the best teams, and they’ll want to prove their growth on the world stage.
England, the 2019 World Cup winners, will be determined to win back the Champions Trophy. Known for their explosive batting and skilful bowling, England is one of the top contenders for the title.
India, with their powerful batting lineup and world-class spinners, will aim for their third ICC Champions Trophy title. With millions of fans cheering them on, India will be one of the most supported teams in the event.
New Zealand, often underestimated, consistently performs well in ICC tournaments. With a well-balanced squad, the Kiwis will enter the competition quietly confident, ready to challenge any team.
South Africa, despite their past struggles in major tournaments, will be hoping to break their “chokers” label. With a talented and diverse squad, they have the potential to win their first major ICC title.
These teams bring their strengths to the tournament, making the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy a highly anticipated cricket event.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Groups
The teams that qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were selected based on their One Day International (ODI) rankings. These eight teams are:
- Pakistan
- Australia
- India
- New Zealand
- Bangladesh
- South Africa
- Afghanistan
- England
The tournament will follow a traditional format, starting with group stage matches, followed by the semi-finals, and then the final to decide the winner. The Pakistan Cricket Board has already announced the groups, and one of the most exciting highlights is that arch-rivals India and Pakistan are in the same group.
Here are the groups for the tournament:
Group A:
- India
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- New Zealand
Group B:
- Australia
- Afghanistan
- England
- South Africa
The competition will kick off with group-stage matches, where each team will face the others in their group. The top teams from each group will move on to the semi-finals, leading to the final match. The India-Pakistan clash is expected to be one of the most thrilling encounters. Fans can expect exciting cricket as these top teams compete for the ICC Champions Trophy title.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule and Venue
The schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan, has been released. Matches will be held at three key venues: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The tournament will begin on February 19, 2025, with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi.
Here’s a look at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 19 February 2025 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Karachi |
| 20 February 2025 | Bangladesh vs India | Lahore |
| 21 February 2025 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Karachi |
| 22 February 2025 | Australia vs England | Lahore |
| 23 February 2025 | New Zealand vs India | Rawalpindi |
| 24 February 2025 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Lahore |
| 25 February 2025 | Afghanistan vs England | Lahore |
| 26 February 2025 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi |
| 27 February 2025 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Lahore |
| 28 February 2025 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Rawalpindi |
| 1 March 2025 | Pakistan vs India | Lahore |
| 2 March 2025 | South Africa vs England | Rawalpindi |
| 5 March 2025 | 1st Semi-final | Karachi |
| 6 March 2025 | 2nd Semi-final | Rawalpindi |
| 9 March 2025 | Final | Lahore |
The group-stage matches will be followed by the semi-finals and the final. One of the most anticipated games is the India vs Pakistan clash on March 1, 2025, in Lahore.
The semi-finals are scheduled for March 5 and 6, 2025, in Karachi and Rawalpindi, and the final will take place on March 9, 2025, in Lahore.
This tournament promises exciting cricket at Pakistan’s iconic venues, as top teams battle for the ICC Champions Trophy. Fans around the world can look forward to a thrilling event.
Will India Participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
With the ongoing strained relations between India and Pakistan, there is much speculation about whether India will travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India has not played in any tournament in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and tensions between the two countries make such tours uncertain.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised concerns about sending the Indian team to Pakistan due to security issues and political tensions. BCCI President Rajeev Shukla has stated that the decision will depend on approval from the Indian central government. The BCCI will follow the government’s instructions.
Recent reports suggest that the Indian team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan. Instead, the BCCI plans to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move India’s matches to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka or the UAE. If this happens, it would be the second time a major tournament is moved out of Pakistan because of India’s reluctance to play there.
Although the BCCI has not officially requested the ICC to shift venues, this possibility remains under consideration. If the ICC agrees, it will add another chapter to the ongoing cricket diplomacy challenges between India and Pakistan.
As for the Indian squad, Rohit Sharma, who recently led India to a T20 World Cup win, will captain the team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Even after retiring from T20s, he will continue to lead India in ODIs and Tests. Key players like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja are also expected to be part of the team.
