2025 ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan – PCB is Ready to Welcome

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, a cricket tournament featuring the eight top-ranked One Day International (ODI) men’s national teams.

• • Host country: Pakistan
  • Venues: Matches will be played across three cities – Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.
  • Format: The tournament will follow a round-robin and knockout format.
  • Participants: Eight teams will compete in the tournament.
  • Defending champions: Pakistan, who won the previous edition in 2017.

The proposed schedule includes 15 matches, with Karachi hosting three games (including the opening match and a semi-final), Rawalpindi hosting six games (including a semi-final), and Lahore hosting seven games (including the final). An important point of discussion is India’s participation in the tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the Indian team’s travel to Pakistan will depend on the central government’s permission. To address potential logistical and security concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed that all of India’s matches be played in Lahore, which is close to the Wagah border crossing between the two countries. It’s worth noting that a portion of the tournament is expected to overlap with Ramadan, which may affect match timings and attendance.

The Top-ranked Teams for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy

The eight teams that have qualified for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy are:

1. 1. India
   2. Pakistan (Host)
   3. Australia
   4. England
   5. New Zealand
   6. South Africa
   7. Bangladesh
   8. Afghanistan

These teams qualified based on their rankings from the group stage of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Pakistan automatically qualifies as the host nation. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. It will follow a format similar to the 2017 edition, with the eight teams divided into two groups of four. Each team will play the others in their group in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. It’s worth noting that India’s participation is still uncertain due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. The Indian government’s approval will be required for the team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Pakistan Preparation and Planning for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The PCB appears to be actively working on infrastructure improvements, security arrangements, and diplomatic efforts to ensure the successful hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. 

ICC delegation visit

An ICC delegation recently visited the National Stadium in Karachi to check preparations and arrangements for the Champions Trophy. They expressed satisfaction while also providing suggestions for improvements.

Stadium upgrades

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to upgrade cricket stadiums in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi for the tournament.

Security measures

The PCB is ensuring to all over the world with top-notch security and facilities for every cricket fan and player to provide a successful and memorable cricketing experience.

India’s participation

To address potential concerns regarding India’s participation, Pakistan has proposed hosting all of India’s matches in Lahore, which is close to the Wagah border crossing. This is intended to reduce travel for the Indian team and make it easier for fans to attend.

Tri-series preparation

Pakistan is planning to host a tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa in February 2025, just before the Champions Trophy, as part of their preparation for the main event.

Sticking to original plan

Despite uncertainty surrounding India’s participation, the PCB has decided not to prepare a “Plan B” for the tournament and is proceeding with their original arrangements.