Dubai has been confirmed as the venue for all Champions Trophy 2025 matches that India will participate in, including one of the semi-finals and possibly the final as well, if India makes it there.
The schedule, officially released by the ICC on Tuesday, specifies that “semifinal 1 will involve India if they qualify” and will be played in Dubai, and, similarly, “semifinal 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify.” Furthermore, Lahore has been finalized as the host city for the final, but “if India qualifies for the final, it will be played in Dubai.” Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days, a statement from the ICC confirmed.
PCB President Naqvi said: “We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, displaying the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport.
“Our sincere thanks go to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.”
The star match between Pakistan and India in the group stage will be played on Sunday, February 23. The other two teams in that group are Bangladesh and New Zealand. India will face Bangladesh on February 20 and New Zealand on March 2.
Pakistan, the defending champions of the tournament, will begin on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi. Pakistan’s last league match, against Bangladesh, will be played in Rawalpindi on February 27.
The second group is made up of Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa. The matches of both groups, apart from India, will be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
The two semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, and since both games are allocated reserve days, it is not impossible that they end up taking place on the same day, although Dubai is usually dry at that time of year.
The agreement begins with the Champions Trophy and will apply to the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It will also apply to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, the first tournament of the next cycle of events which has now been awarded to Pakistan.
