The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the most awaited cricket tournaments showcasing the top teams. The upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy is creating a buzz, as Pakistan will be the Champions Trophy 2025 Host under a hybrid model, with Dubai sharing hosting responsibilities for certain matches, including India’s games.
Are you also waiting for it and are curious to know when it will happen?
Let’s find out in detail about the host, venue, format, the number of teams qualified for the trophy, and more.
Champions Trophy 2025 Host Country: Pakistan
Pakistan’s selection as the host for the Champions Trophy 2025 is a memorable occasion. It will be the first major ICC tournament hosted solely by Pakistan since 2009, showing their security and cricket infrastructure improvements.
However, a hybrid-hosting model has been agreed upon with the UAE (Dubai) as a co-host, addressing India’s refusal to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
The two selected venues for the final are:
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Pakistan)
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai)
The venue for the final match will depend on the teams involved. Originally, Pakistan was set to host the entire tournament, but after months of discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a hybrid model was agreed upon.
This change was introduced as India declined to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns.
Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule:
Here is the full schedule of The Champions Trophy 2025
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 2025 | Pakistan vs. New Zealand | National Stadium, Karachi | 14:00 |
| 20 Feb 2025 | Bangladesh vs. India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 14:00 |
| 21 Feb 2025 | Afghanistan vs. South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi | 14:00 |
| 22 Feb 2025 | Australia vs. England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 14:00 |
| 23 Feb 2025 | Pakistan vs. India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 14:00 |
| 24 Feb 2025 | Bangladesh vs. New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 14:00 |
| 25 Feb 2025 | Australia vs. South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 14:00 |
| 26 Feb 2025 | Afghanistan vs. England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 14:00 |
| 27 Feb 2025 | Pakistan vs. Bangladesh | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 14:00 |
| 28 Feb 2025 | Afghanistan vs. Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 14:00 |
| 1 Mar 2025 | South Africa vs. England | National Stadium, Karachi | 14:00 |
| 2 Mar 2025 | New Zealand vs. India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 14:00 |
| 4 Mar 2025 | Semi-final 1* | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 14:00 |
| 5 Mar 2025 | Semi-final 2** | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 14:00 |
| 9 Mar 2025 | Final*** | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 14:00 |
Champions Trophy 2025 Squads:
India Squad
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Bangladesh Squad
Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali, Parvez Hossain Emon, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
New Zealand Squad
Mark Chapman, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (Captain), Nathan Smith, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, William O’Rourke, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Matt Henry.
Afghanistan Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Naveed Zadran.
Australia Squad
Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Aaron Hardie, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (Captain), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
England Squad
Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jos Buttler (Captain), Philip Salt, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Mark Wood.
South Africa Squad
Temba Bavuma (Captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi.
Venues for the Tournament
The 2025 Champions Trophy matches will be held in key cities across Pakistan, with Dubai hosting matches involving India under the hybrid model.
Proposed Locations in Pakistan:
- Karachi
- Lahore
- Rawalpindi
Stadium Capacities:
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: 27,000
- National Stadium, Karachi: 32,000
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: 15,000
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai): 25,000
Final Match Venue:
The final match venue will depend on the teams involved:
- If India qualifies for the final, it will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
- Otherwise, the final will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
Past 3 Tournament Hosts Of Champions Trophy
Before Pakistan’s selection as the 2025 host, the Champions Trophy has been held in various countries, with recent editions showcasing thrilling cricket and unexpected outcomes. Let’s look at the past three tournaments:
2017: England and Wales – Pakistan won their maiden Champions Trophy title by defeating India in the final.
2013: England and Wales – India emerged victorious, defeating England in the final.
2009: South Africa – Australia won the tournament, marking their second consecutive Champions Trophy win
The Champions Trophy, initially discontinued after 2017, was revived by the ICC in November 2021, with Pakistan named as the 2025 host. This decision marks Pakistan’s significant return to hosting major international tournaments.
In preparation, plans for a new high-tech stadium in Islamabad were approved in December 2022. The potential challenges arose in November 2023, with the Pakistan Cricket Board discussing a possible ‘hybrid-model’ tournament with the ICC, anticipating potential refusal by some teams to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Qualified Teams
The tournament will feature eight teams, with Pakistan automatically qualifying as the host. The remaining teams will qualify based on their performance in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
1. Qualified Teams:
- Pakistan (Host)
- India
- South Africa
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Afghanistan
- England
- Bangladesh (pending final rankings)
2. Notable Absences: Former champions Sri Lanka will be absent from this edition, marking a significant change in the tournament’s landscape.
What Is The Format Of Champions Trophy 2025?
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will follow a format similar to previous editions, featuring a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Let’s understand:
Group Stage Format
- Two Groups: The tournament will have 8 teams divided into 2 groups of 4 teams each.
- Round-Robin Matches: Each team will play against every other team in their group once.
- Top Two Teams: The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Group Distribution
The teams will be distributed into two groups based on their rankings and other criteria set by the ICC.
Explanation of the Two Groups of Four Teams
Here’s a detailed explanation of the group distribution and the format:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, Team 4 |
| Group B | Team 5, Team 6, Team 7, Team 8 |
Each team will play three matches within the group.
Semi-final: The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The first-placed team from Group A will play against the second-placed team from Group B, and the first-placed team from Group B will play against the second-placed team from Group A.
Final: The winners of the semi-finals will face each other in the final to determine the champion.
Participating Teams Qualification Criteria
The qualification process for the Champion Trophy 2025 is designed to ensure that the best teams will compete in the tournament. Let’s understand the process:
1. Automatic Qualification For Host
As the host nation, Pakistan automatically secures a spot in the tournament. This is standard practice for major ICC events and allows the host country to showcase their talent on home soil.
2. Top Teams From The 2023 World Cup
The top-performing teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup will fill the remaining spots. This approach ensures that the most competitive teams, based on recent performances, participate in the Champions Trophy.
Selection Process Of Champion Trophy 2025 Host
The ICC thoroughly evaluated the selection process for the host of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan was chosen based on several criteria.
According to the CricketPakistan, Pakistan was officially announced as the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy host on November 16, 2021. The ICC made the announcement, highlighting Pakistan’s readiness to host a major international tournament after a long hiatus.
Cricket fans and officials in Pakistan celebrated the ICC’s decision, with PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja expressing pride and excitement.
Criteira For Selection
The ICC’s selection process for host nations mainly involves evaluating these factors:
- Cricket infrastructure
- Security arrangements
- Cricketing culture and fan base
- Economic viability
- Government support
Is There A Co-Host For The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
Pakistan is set to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. However, there are discussions about a co-host due to India’s problems traveling to Pakistan over security concerns. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is being considered a co-host, offering a neutral venue for some matches.
This “hybrid model” ensures all teams feel secure and comfortable, maintaining the tournament’s integrity. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in talks with the ICC to address these concerns. While Pakistan is ready to host the entire tournament, they are open to the hybrid model to ensure full participation.
This arrangement highlights the complexities of organizing international sports events in politically sensitive regions and underscores the ICC’s commitment to a successful and inclusive tournament.
This potential co-hosting solution ensures that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy remains competitive and accessible to all participating teams.
Impact On Local And International Cricket
The Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan is set to have an impact on both local and international cricket scenes:
1. Economic Impact On Pakistan
Hosting a major international tournament like the Champions Trophy can bring substantial economic benefits to Pakistan:
- Increased tourism
- Job creation in various sectors
- Boost to local businesses, especially in the hospitality industry
- Potential for long-term infrastructure improvements
2. Cultural Significance
The tournament will play a crucial role in enhancing cricket’s popularity in Pakistan:
- Inspiring a new generation of cricketers
- Strengthening Pakistan’s position in the global cricket community
- Showcasing Pakistani culture and hospitality to an international audience
Conclusion: The Host Of Champion Trophy 2025 Is Pakistan
Pakistan’s selection as the host for the 2025 Champions Trophy is a significant milestone, highlighting the country’s cricketing revival.
The hybrid model with Dubai as a co-host underscores the complexities of international cricket in politically sensitive regions. What are your thoughts on the Champions Trophy host for 2025?
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