India to play 2025 Champions Trophy matches in UAE

KATHMANDU: India will play their matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy in the UAE.

This decision was finalized after a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, and Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, the UAE’s senior minister and head of the Emirates Cricket Board.

According to PCB spokesperson Amir Mir, Pakistan has chosen the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy.

The match between Pakistan and India will take place on Feb 23.

Along with Pakistan and India, Bangladesh and New Zealand are also in the same group. India will face Bangladesh on Feb 20 and New Zealand on March 2.

All these matches are likely to be held in Dubai.

Defending champions Pakistan will begin their campaign against New Zealand on Feb 19 in Karachi. Pakistan’s final group match will be against Bangladesh on Feb 27 in Rawalpindi.

The second group consists of Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa, with matches set to be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, excluding those involving India.

The semifinals will take place on March 4 and 5, with a reserve day for the second semifinal. The final will be held on March 9, with a reserve day in place for the final match.

If India qualifies for the semifinals, the first semifinal will be played in the UAE. If India does not qualify, both semifinals will be held in Pakistan. The final will take place in Lahore, with the option to relocate it to the UAE if India wins.

The agreement for neutral venues for Pakistan’s matches in ICC events until 2027, including the Champions Trophy, is part of the finalized hybrid model.

This arrangement will also apply to the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.