Tournament Overview
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be the ninth edition of this prestigious cricket tournament. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the event will feature the top eight ranked One Day International (ODI) men’s national teams. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan.
Key Details
- Dates: February 19 – March 9, 2025
- Host: Pakistan
- Administrator: International Cricket Council (ICC)
- Format: One Day International (ODI)
- Tournament Format: Round-robin and Knockout
- Participants: 8 teams
- Matches: 15
- Official Website: ICC Champions Trophy
Background
The Champions Trophy was initially discontinued after the 2017 edition, but the ICC announced its return in November 2021. Pakistan, the defending champions from 2017, will host the tournament for the first time since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which they co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
Host Selection
Pakistan was officially announced as the host during the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This will be the first major global tournament held solely in Pakistan since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team.
Venues
The matches will be played across three venues in Pakistan:
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: Capacity 27,000
- National Stadium, Karachi: Capacity 32,000
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: Capacity 15,000
Qualification
The eight participating teams include the host nation, Pakistan, and the seven highest-ranked teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup group stage. This marks the first time Sri Lanka has failed to qualify, while Afghanistan will make their debut in the tournament.
Group Stage and Knockout Format
The tournament will follow a round-robin format in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals will contest the final.
Security and Political Concerns
Due to ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, there are uncertainties regarding India’s participation. The ICC and PCB are considering a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup if India decides not to travel to Pakistan. The PCB has assured top-notch security and facilities for the event.
Provisional Schedule
Here is a brief overview of the provisional schedule:
- February 21, 2025: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (Group A)
- February 23, 2025: New Zealand vs Australia (Group A)
- February 25, 2025: England vs South Africa (Group B)
- February 27, 2025: India vs Pakistan (Group B)
- March 1, 2025: Australia vs Bangladesh (Group A)
- March 2, 2025: Afghanistan vs New Zealand (Group A)
- March 3, 2025: Pakistan vs South Africa (Group B)
- March 4, 2025: England vs India (Group B)
- March 5, 2025: Bangladesh vs New Zealand (Group A)
- March 6, 2025: Afghanistan vs Australia (Group A)
- March 7, 2025: India vs South Africa (Group B)
- March 8, 2025: England vs Pakistan (Group B)
- March 10, 2025: 2nd Semi-final (Group B Winners vs Group A Runners-up)
- March 14, 2025: The Final
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an exciting event, bringing together the top ODI teams in a competitive format. With Pakistan hosting the tournament, it marks a significant moment in the return of major international cricket to the country. Keep an eye on further updates and official announcements as the tournament approaches.