Cricketbuzztoday has learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent proposed matches, venues, and dates list to the ICC for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The Telegram reported that the 8-teams ICC event will be hosted in Pakistan across three venues including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The tournament is expected to be played from February 19 to March 9.
The ICC has already given the hosting rights of Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan but there is a possibility of venue change as India is reluctant to visit Pakistan citing security concerns.
Schedule For The ICC Champions Trophy 2025
After 1996, Champions Trophy 2025 will be the first ICC event happening in Pakistan. International cricket stopped happening in Pakistan after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in 2009.
ICC Champions Trophy is an opportunity for Pakistan to make foolproof security arrangements for the teams to be play in the upcoming mega event. Pakistan is also the defending champion of the ICC Champions Trophy. PCB has shared a tentative schedule with the ICC.
India’s Participation In Champions Trophy 2025 Is Uncertain
IANS (Indo-Asian News Service) writes that due to political tension between the two neighboring countries, India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is uncertain.
In a recent press talk, Jai Shah confirmed that Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian Pack in the Champions Trophy. It is in the air that Rohit And Virat might retire from White ball cricket after CT 2025- the duo retired from T20s after winning the T20 World Cup a month ago.
On May 6 Rajeev Shukla, Vice President Of BCCI, stated that the team will only travel to Pakistan if only permitted by the central government.
If India does not play in the tournament, it will be a major setback. The India-Pak match is the most anticipated in any tournament. It also means that there will be a major cut in ICC revenue if India opts out of the event, as India has a huge cricket fan base that follows its team anywhere in the world.
Tentative Schedule Of The ICC Champions Trophy 2025
A tentative schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025 is from 21st February to 14th March 2025. An expected schedule of the event is given as:
| Group | Match | Date |
| A | Afghanistan Vs Bangladesh | 21-Feb-25 |
| A | New Zealand Vs Australia | 23-Feb-25 |
| B | England vs South Africa | 25-Feb-25 |
| B | Australia vs Bangladesh | 27-Feb-25 |
| A | India Vs Pakistan | 01-Mar-25 |
| A | Afghanistan vs New Zealand | 02-Mar-25 |
| B | Pakistan vs South Africa | 03-Mar-25 |
| B | England vs India | 04-Mar-25 |
| A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | 05-Mar-25 |
| A | Afghanistan vs Australia | 06-Mar-25 |
| B | India vs South Africa | 07-Mar-25 |
| B | England vs Pakistan | 08-Mar-25 |
| 1st Semi-Final | 10-Mar-25 | |
| 2nd Semi-Final | 11-Mar-25 | |
| Final | 14-Mar-25 |
Source: www.rgkarmch.org
Teams Participating In The CT 2025
The top Eight teams, including host Pakistan, in the ICC ODI rankings will be participating in the upcoming Champions Trophy. The teams will be bifurcated into two groups.
Groups In The Champions Trophy 2025
The top seven ODI teams, including Hosts, are included in Group A and Group B. The break-up of the Two groups is:
- Group A: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand
- Group B: Australia, England, Afghanistan, South Africa
Venues Of The Tournament
Pakistan has made foolproof arrangements for the tournament. In this connection, the Top three stadiums have been chosen for the mega ICC tournament. The venues are:
- Qaddafi Stadium Lahore
- National Stadium Karachi
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Qadaffi Stadium Lahore- Source: www.pcb.com.pk
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India’s matches will be scheduled in Lahore, being near the Indian border.
The reason for choosing the venues for the upcoming trophy is that these stadiums are near the hotels. Moreover, the infrastructure around the stadiums is modern which helps the teams navigate easily.
Format Of The Champions Trophy 2025
T20 or 50 Overs Format
After the 2017 Champions Trophy, it was decided by the ICC that only one major ICC tournament would be played in each format. Hence CT 2017 proved to be the last edition.
However, on 16th November 2021 at the annual meeting of the ICC in Dubai it was decided that the Champions trophy will return in 2025 with Pakistan as hosts.
A lot of debate is going on regarding the format of the CT whether it will be a T20 or 50 overs; it is yet to be decided. Most probably, it will be a 50 overs format.
Knock-out stage format
The teams are going to be distributed in Two groups with Four teams in one group. Any two teams who top the groups in terms of points proceed to the knock-out stage.
In the knock-out stage, the team atop Group 1 faces the runner-up of group-2. Similarly, the team atop Group 2 faces the runner-up of Group 1 in the semi-final. Winners of the two semi-finals advance to the final to compete for the championship title.
Possibility Of Hybrid Model For Champions Trophy 2025
Although late, if the ICC decides not to host the ICC event in Pakistan at the request of BCCI. The tournament might be played as per the hybrid model lately used in the Asia Cup 2023.
If a hybrid model is opted for, Sri Lanka and UAE may be chosen as playing venues. In the Asia Cup India played all of its matches in Sri Lanka.
What Happens If India Doesn’t Participate in CT 2025
It is not an easy decision for the team India to refuse to play in an ICC event. It is yet to be seen if India antagonizes the ICC or evades it.
India’s refusal to participate in the CT 2025 will allow the former Champion Sri Lanka to creep its way into the Champions Trophy as they finished 9th on the ICC ranking in ODI.
ICC Approves Budget For The Champions Trophy 2025
In a recent meeting in Sri Lanka, the ICC approved its budget for February and March 2025 in consultation with host Pakistan.
The Chairman PCB , Mohsin Naqvi, was also present at the meeting. The News agencies reported that the budget has been jointly prepared by the PCB and ICC.
The stage is all set for the Champions Trophy 2025 to begin. The stadiums/venues are well prepared, a tentative schedule has been shared with the ICC, and the security apparatus is in place. It is a prestigious tournament after the ICC 50-Overs World Cup. Cricket fans are waiting for the ICC to formally announce the schedule of the tournament and when the tickets will be up for sale. So that cricket fans could pack their bags accordingly.
FAQs
Is India Going To Play In The Champions Trophy 2025?
Yet, it is not clear. But if Indian government permits then India will participate in the event.
How Many Champion Trophies Have Been Won By India?
India has won Champion Trophy once i.e in 2013 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. India was the runner up in CT 2017.
When And Where The Next Champions Trophy Is Going To Be Played?
The next Champions trophy is going to be held in India in 2029.
How Many Times Pakistan Has Won The Champions Trophy?
Pakistan is defending champion of the tournament by beating India in Champions Trophy 2107 final.
After How Much Time Champions Trophy Is Going To Be Played?
Champions is making a return after 7 years. Last time it was played in 2017 in England.
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