Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), received an invitation to the Barbados final of the T20 World Cup 2024. There, he sent in the 15-game schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. According to a recent report, the competition is scheduled to start on February 19 and go through March 9, with a reserve day on March 10.
The draft tournament schedule has been distributed by the PCB chairman, but the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has not yet approved it. Three locations will host the matches: seven will take place in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi. Lahore is where the final will be held.
All of India’s games, including the semi-final, will be held in Lahore in accordance with the draft schedule, provided the Men in Blue advance. March 1 is reportedly the date of the India vs. Pakistan match.
The draft for the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy has been turned in by the PCB. News18 cited an ICC board member as saying, “There will be seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi.”
“Karachi will host the first match, followed by semifinals in Rawalpindi and Karachi and a final in Lahore.” All India games are played in Lahore, including the semifinals if the team advances,” the insider continued.
In addition, the document disclosed India’s grouping. The Men in Blue, Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan are in Group B, while Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand are in Group A.
Also read: Reports: Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan will be held at Lahore
After visiting the tournament venues and arrangements in Islamabad, Chris Tetley, the ICC’s head of events, met with Naqvi. The last time Pakistan hosted a competition was the Asia Cup 2023, however due to government denials over cross-border travel permits, they were forced to use a hybrid format where India played all of the tournament’s games in Sri Lanka.
“The BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC, but all board chiefs of the participating countries in the ICC Champions Trophy—aside from BCCI—have assured him of their complete support,” the source continued.