PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi hails Champions Trophy deal as 'milestone for Pakistan'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the eagerly anticipated schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for global cricket. With the tournament set to be played in a hybrid format, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his pride and optimism over Pakistan’s role as a host.

This marks a historic moment for Pakistan, which last hosted a major ICC event during the 1996 World Cup.

The Champions Trophy 2025, featuring eight teams, will begin on Feb.19 with the opening match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. The event will culminate with the final on March 9, set to be held in Lahore unless India qualifies, in which case it will shift to Dubai.

"We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport," Naqvi stated, highlighting the importance of this milestone for Pakistan cricket.

He further expressed gratitude to the ICC for enabling Pakistan to co-host the tournament alongside Dubai. "Hosting the Champions Trophy is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organiser.

Pakistan is elated to welcome the world to the Champions Trophy, and we look forward to extending our renowned hospitality to all," he added.

This hybrid format ensures that Pakistan hosts the majority of matches, with games scheduled at Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Each venue will host three group-stage matches. Dubai will host all of India’s matches, including their opener against Bangladesh on Feb.20 and the much-anticipated clash with Pakistan on Feb.23.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah also took to X to express his feelings towards the upcoming tournament. “Very excited for the @ICC Men's Champions Trophy to start in February,” read the post on X.

The semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 in Dubai and March 5 in Lahore, with reserve days allocated for both semi-finals and the final.

If India qualifies for the final, it will also be moved to Dubai; otherwise, Lahore will host the championship match.

Reserve days are scheduled for both semi-finals and the final. The Dubai leg begins on Feb.20 with India taking on Bangladesh. Group B campaign begins on Feb.21, with Afghanistan squaring up against South Africa in Karachi.

Earlier, India has refused to travel to Pakistan over security concerns and that forced the ICC to delay its announcement for more than a month.

"The ICC is delighted to release the schedule ... marking the tournament's much-anticipated first return since 2017," ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement.

"The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.

"This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity."

Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa will play all their Group B games in Pakistan.

After long deliberations between the ICC Board members, the game's governing body has also agreed that Pakistan will not play in India in the 2024-27 cycle.

It is a tit-for-tat response to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

That means Pakistan will go to a neutral venue when India hosts the 2025 women's World Cup and co-hosts the 2026 men's T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.

As compensation for not hosting India at the Champions Trophy, the ICC awarded the 2028 women's T20 World Cup to Pakistan.

Political tensions between Pakistan and India have prevented their teams from touring each other's country since 2012, when Pakistan went to India for a bilateral one-day international (ODI) series.

Both teams face each other regularly in ICC tournaments - Pakistan went to India last year for the men's World Cup. But before that event, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and played all their games in Sri Lanka.

The PCB has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi and hopes the work will be completed by mid-January.
Agencies

Schedule:

Feb.19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi

Feb.20: Bangladesh vs India, Dubai

Feb.21: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi

Feb.22: Australia vs England, Lahore

Feb.23: Pakistan vs India, Dubai

Feb.24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi

Feb.25: Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi

Feb.26: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore

Feb.27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi

Feb.28: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore

March 1: South Africa vs England, Karachi

March 2: New Zealand vs India, Dubai

March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai

March 5: Semi-final 2, Lahore

March 9: Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)