ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India matches likely in UAE, Pakistan to host key games

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted by Pakistan, but India’s matches are expected to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. This decision is part of a broader hybrid model introduced for ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle, ensuring flexibility in venue selection for tournaments hosted by India or Pakistan.

One of the tournament’s most anticipated matches, the clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, likely at the Dubai International Stadium. This high-stakes encounter is expected to be the highlight of the group stage, drawing global cricket fans to witness the fierce rivalry.

India’s other group stage fixtures include matches against Bangladesh on February 20 and New Zealand on March 2, also expected to take place in Dubai. Pakistan, defending champions from the 2017 edition, will begin their campaign on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi, with their final league match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

The decision to split hosting responsibilities between Pakistan and a neutral venue like the UAE comes after extensive deliberations. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, held discussions with Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, a senior UAE minister and head of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), to finalize the arrangement.

A PCB spokesperson confirmed the development, stating, “The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy.” The ICC Board has also approved this hybrid model for all ICC events during the current rights cycle, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The eight-team tournament will feature two groups:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh
• Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa

While India’s matches are expected to be held in Dubai, other fixtures will take place across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The semifinals are scheduled for March 4 and March 5, with the final set for March 9 in Lahore. A reserve day has been allocated for the final, and the venue may shift to the UAE if India qualifies for the title clash.

The ICC has formalized neutral venue arrangements for India-Pakistan matches in all ICC events hosted by either country through 2027. This policy will apply to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Additionally, Pakistan has been awarded hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, which will also involve neutral venue provisions.