ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
The Best Eight ODI teams in the globe will square off in an exciting match when the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy returns. Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will co-host this 9th Event, which will run from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
One of the most anticipated cricket competitions in the world, the Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to captivate spectators everywhere. Known as the “mini World Cup,” the Champions Trophy is known for bringing together the world’s top cricket teams for exciting, high-stakes contests. With some of the biggest cricketing nations in the world competing for the prized crown, the enthusiasm is predicted to be at an all-time high this year.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Hosts: Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dates: February 19 to March 9, 2025
Organizer: International Cricket Council (ICC)
Format: One Day International (ODI)
Structure: Group Stage & Knockout Stage
Total Teams: 8
Matches: 15
Official Website: https://www.icc-cricket.com/
Pakistan enters the tournament as the defending champions, having won the last edition in 2017.
Background of the ICC Champions Trophy
One of the most prominent ODI competitions, the ICC Champions Trophy pits the best teams in the world of cricket against one another. The competition was first introduced in 1998 under the name ICC KnockOut Trophy. It was renamed in 2002 and has been conducted every four years since 2009.
Following the 2017 Champions Trophy, the ICC declared in 2016 that it will only hold one major tournament in each format going forward. However, as part of its 2024–2031 ICC events cycle, the ICC decided in November 2021 to reinstate the Champions Trophy starting in 2025.
Host Selection and Details of Venues
Pakistan as the Primary Host
The ICC granted Pakistan the right to host the 2025 Champions Trophy on November 16, 2021. It will be the first major ICC tournament to be held in Pakistan in 28 years, since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, making it a historic occasion. Since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan squad, the nation has struggled to hold international cricket matches; nonetheless, this event marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s history as a major cricketing powerhouse.
Co-Host: United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was selected as a neutral location for Indian team matches because of the country’s hesitancy to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host these matches.
Official Venues for the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025:
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – 5 matches (including the second semifinal & final)
- National Stadium, Karachi – 3 matches
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi – 3 matches
United Arab Emirates Venue:
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium – 5 matches (including India’s matches & the first semifinal)
Tournament Format
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will follow a two-stage format:
Group Stage:
- The 8 teams will be split into two groups of four.
- Each team plays three matches within their group.
- The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.
Knockout Stage:
- 2 Semi-finals
- 1 Final
- A total of 15 matches will be played over 19 days.
Teams and Qualification
The 2025 Champions Trophy is open to the top 8 teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan is participating in the competition for the first time, and Sri Lanka is not making it for the first time.
Teams for Champions Trophy 2025
Group A | Group B |
1. Bangladesh | 5. Afghanistan |
2. India | 6. Australia |
3. New Zealand | 7. England |
4. Pakistan | 8. South Africa |
Political Tensions and Participation of India
The competition has been significantly shaped by the continuing cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan. Cricket connections between the two countries have been impacted by political issues for many years.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested payment from the ICC in November 2023 in the event that India declined to play in Pakistan. Citing security concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) affirmed a year later that India will not visit Pakistan.
The ICC announced a hybrid approach in December 2024 to address the problem, with India’s matches now taking place in the United Arab Emirates rather than Pakistan.
Promotion and Trophy Tour
The world is already buzzing about the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The ICC debuted a new graphic identity and logo for the competition on November 13, 2024.
The Trophy Tour Scandal
The BCCI objected to the PCB’s original plan to display the trophy in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. A worldwide trophy tour was eventually finalized by the ICC, which began in Islamabad and traveled to all eight participating countries before ending in India in January 2025 and then returning to Pakistan for the competition.
Squads & Team Announcements
Each team will select a 15-member squad, with additional traveling reserves.
Confirmed Squad Announcements:
- December 22, 2024 – England became the first team to announce their squad. Click Here to View the England Team Squad
- January 12, 2025 – New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan revealed their squads.
- January 13, 2025 – Australia and South Africa announced their selections.
- January 18, 2025 – India named their squad.
- January 31, 2025 – Pakistan finalized their team, opting for only one specialist spinner, a surprising decision.
