ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Begins in Pakistan Amidst Exciting Preparations and High Hopes
The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on Wednesday, February 19, in Pakistan, with the country hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time since the 1996 World Cup. Pakistan, the defending champions, is ready to showcase its hospitality and cricketing prowess on the world stage.
In 2017, Pakistan, under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed, won the ICC Champions Trophy, defeating India by 180 runs in the final. Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant century earned him the Player of the Final award, while Hassan Ali’s outstanding performance, claiming 13 wickets throughout the tournament, saw him named the Player of the Tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has worked tirelessly to prepare for the Champions Trophy, ensuring that key venues such as Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium have undergone significant upgrades. The renovation of Gaddafi Stadium was completed in a record 117 days, leaving it in pristine condition for the event. National Bank Stadium in Karachi has also seen the construction of new buildings, including dressing rooms and hospitality boxes.
A total of 8 teams will compete in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, including hosts Pakistan, New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh in Group A, and Australia, England, Afghanistan, and South Africa in Group B.
The opening day-night match will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium. Pakistan’s next two group matches will be against India on February 23 in Dubai and against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi. The group stage will feature three matches in Karachi, three in Lahore, and three in Rawalpindi. India’s team will play all of their group matches in Dubai.
The first semifinal will be held in Dubai on March 4, while Lahore will host the second semifinal on March 5. If India fails to reach the final, it will be held in Lahore on March 9; otherwise, it will take place in Dubai.
The ICC Champions Trophy, which started in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut, was renamed the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002. Pakistan won the tournament in 2017 and has reached the semifinals in 2000, 2004, and 2009.
Pakistan has won 11 out of 23 matches in the Champions Trophy, including three victories over India. The tournament has seen four centuries from Pakistani players: Saeed Anwar’s two centuries in 2000, Shoaib Malik’s century against India in 2009, and Fakhar Zaman’s memorable 114 runs against India in the 2017 final.
Shahid Afridi holds the record for the best individual bowling performance for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, having taken 5 wickets for 11 runs against Kenya in 2004.
The Pakistani squad for the Champions Trophy includes Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakil, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed. Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Faheem Ashraf are the three players who were part of the winning team in 2017.
Pakistan will play their first match on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi, followed by their second group match against India on February 23 in Dubai. The final group match will be against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.
