The revised schedule for the tournament has India playing group matches, semifinal 1, and final (if required) in UAE.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the Champions Trophy 2025 will now be held in Pakistan and Dubai. This decision was made after hosts Pakistan selected the UAE as a neutral venue for their rivals India.
Following weeks of negotiations, the venue change was necessary as India declined to travel to Pakistan for their matches.
Pakistan, the current tournament holders, will have to make the trip to Dubai to face India on February 23 and, potentially, in the final on March 9.
“Unless India qualifies, the final on March 9 will be held in Lahore. The semi-finals and final will each have reserve days,” the ICC stated in a release on Tuesday.
“All three group matches involving India and the first semi-final will take place in Dubai.”
The eight-team competition is set to begin on February 19 in Karachi, with a total of 15 matches scheduled across Pakistan and Dubai.
Matches will also be held in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Each venue in Pakistan will host three group-stage games, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final as well.
Pakistan will kick off their campaign against New Zealand in the Group A opener in Karachi on February 19, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai the following day.
Due to political tensions, India has not visited Pakistan since 2008. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has cited government advice in refusing to send its team to participate in the Champions Trophy.
Last week, the ICC announced that future matches between India and Pakistan in tournaments from 2024 to 2027 held in either country will be played at neutral venues.
The Champions Trophy will mark the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since jointly hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
