Champions Trophy 2025: India to play all matches in Dubai, face Pakistan on Feb 23

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India to play all the matches in Dubai as ICC announces the hybrid model. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 complete schedule, group, venue and fixtures.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has become one of the most talked-about events in international cricket, not only because of its exciting format but also due to the intense debate surrounding its hosting rights. The controversy stems from a long-standing rivalry between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), especially regarding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. The solution, however, came through a groundbreaking hybrid model proposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Champions Trophy 2025, promising to be an exciting cricketing spectacle, will feature eight of the world’s top cricketing nations. Scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, this will be the first time since 2017 that the tournament will take place, and it marks the return of a much-anticipated competition that promises to showcase the best of international cricket.

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will jointly host the event, with Dubai serving as the neutral venue for India’s matches. The tournament will consist of 15 matches, with eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan, while Group B consists of Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.

The competition is structured to ensure that every match counts towards the battle for the coveted Champions Trophy white jackets, with the final scheduled for March 9, 2025. The ICC has confirmed that both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days to ensure that any disruptions can be managed.

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Full Schedule: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Notes:

• Semi-final 1 will be played in Dubai regardless of qualification.
• Semi-final 2 will feature Pakistan in Lahore, if they qualify.
• Final will shift to Dubai if India qualifies.

Clash of interests between BCCI and PCB

The primary issue surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 began when India refused to play their matches in Pakistan, citing security concerns. This refusal led to a significant diplomatic and logistical issue for the ICC, as Pakistan were the designated hosts for the tournament. This development sparked a heated dispute between the two cricketing giants—India and Pakistan.

The ICC, in an effort to resolve the situation, proposed a hybrid model. Under this arrangement, India would play their matches in Dubai, a neutral venue, while the rest of the tournament would take place in Pakistan. However, the PCB, initially reluctant to accept the proposal, raised concerns about fairness and potential future implications.

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The hybrid model

After several rounds of tense negotiations between the ICC, BCCI, and PCB, a consensus was reached. The hybrid model would proceed with India playing all their matches in Dubai, while the remainder of the Champions Trophy 2025 would be played across three major cities in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. This model effectively circumvented India’s security concerns while ensuring Pakistan’s role as the host nation was preserved.

This compromise also led to an agreement on a few key points:

• Neutral Venues: As part of the agreement, Pakistan will play their matches at neutral venues in future ICC tournaments held in India. This ensures that the two boards can cooperate while respecting their respective concerns about security.
• Future ICC Tournaments: The hybrid model ensures the smooth hosting of future ICC tournaments, with specific clauses in place to accommodate both India and Pakistan’s concerns regarding hosting rights and security.

Pakistan’s role as hosts

For Pakistan, hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 represents a significant milestone in their cricketing journey. This will be Pakistan’s first time hosting a major ICC tournament since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his gratitude to the ICC for the support extended throughout the negotiation process, stressing that the event would not only showcase Pakistan’s cricketing infrastructure but also their renowned hospitality.

“The PCB is keen to ensure that the tournament is a success, with a focus on providing a world-class experience for players, officials, and fans alike. The matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are expected to be high-stakes affairs, with Pakistan keen to showcase their potential as a major host nation for global cricket”, Naqvi asserted.

Security measures and logistics

The security situation remains a key concern for international teams travelling to Pakistan. However, the ICC and PCB have assured that comprehensive security arrangements will be in place to ensure the safety of players, officials, and fans throughout the tournament. Both Lahore and Karachi, two of the main venues, are expected to receive enhanced security measures to guarantee a smooth operation of the event.

Dubai, as a neutral venue, offers a high level of security, making it an ideal location for India’s matches. The decision to have India play in Dubai is seen as a way to avoid any potential security concerns while still allowing the country to participate in the event.

The tournament will culminate with the final on March 9, 2025, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. However, in the event India qualifies for the final, the match will be moved to Dubai.

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