The much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 has already created a lot of buzz without even getting underway. The cricket fans are desperately waiting for the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule amidst uncertainty over India's participation in the marquee tournament.
Champions Trophy 2025's original schedule to be announced on November 11
Meanwhile, Sports Tak has learnt that the schedule will be announced on November 11, that too without venues.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is scheduled to visit Lahore from November 10 to 12 to assess the arrangements and preparations for the upcoming eight-team tournament.
As per the proposed schedule as per Cricket Pakistan, the original host of Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan, have been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Group B comprises England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan.
However, India's participation in the Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy remains uncertain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting the Indian government's approval before confirming its participation.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is tentatively scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with a reserve day on March 10.
Here is how the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 proposed schedule looks like:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 19 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Karachi |
| February 20 | Bangladesh vs India | Lahore |
| February 21 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Karachi |
| February 22 | Australia vs England | Lahore |
| February 23 | New Zealand vs India | Lahore |
| February 24 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi |
| February 25 | Afghanistan vs England | Lahore |
| February 26 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi |
| February 27 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Lahore |
| February 28 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Rawalpindi |
| March 1 | Pakistan vs India | Lahore |
| March 2 | South Africa vs England | Rawalpindi |
| March 5 | Semi-final: TBC vs TBC | Karachi |
| March 6 | Semi-final: TBC vs TBC | Rawalpindi |
| March 9 | Final: TBC vs TBC | Lahore |
However, the original schedule is still awaited and is likely to be announced on November 11. It will be interesting to see whether Indian government allow Team India to travel to Pakistan to participate in Champions Trophy 2025 or they adopt a hybrid model.
Due to ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, India's participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains uncertain. In the previous year's Asia Cup, India played their matches outside Pakistan in a hybrid model. A similar arrangement could be considered for the Champions Trophy.
Notably, Pakistan, the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, defeated India by a significant margin of 180 runs in the 2017 final at The Oval. Both Australia and India have clinched the title twice.
