India will play their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the UAE, as reported by Sports Tak in past few months. India have been placed in the same group as Pakistan alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand.
While the official announcement about the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is yet to come, India are set to take on defending champions Pakistan led by Mohammad Rizwan on February 23, a blockbuster Sunday. India's next two group matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand are set to take place on February 20 and March 2 in Dubai.
"The PCB has chosen the UAE as the neutral venue and the PCB has formally informed the ICC about the decision. Now, India and Pakistan's Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE," a spokesman for the PCB said. "The final decision was made after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan."
Meanwhile, Pakistan will start their campaign against New Zealand back home at Karachi on February 19. After taking on India, their last league clash against Bangladesh is scheduled on February 27 in Rawalpindi. The Group B comprises of Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa.
The two semifinals are set to be played on March 4 and March 5. However, once again, the ICC has not allotted a reserve day for the first semifinal. A similar situation was faced in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. However, there is a reserve day for the second semifinal.
The final of Champions Trophy 2025 will be played on March 9. If India qualify for the final, it will be played in UAE. However, if India don't progress to the final, then it will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Neutral venues for upcoming ICC events as well
Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreed to a hybrid model for the mega event on the condition that upcoming ICC events hosted by India till 2027, they want a neutral venue too.
This means that Pakistan's matches in Women's ODI World Cup 2025 and Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will be played on neutral venues. The agreement will also apply on the Women's T20 World Cup 2028 which will be hosted by Pakistan.
