The ICC Champions Trophy is back after an eight-year break, with Pakistan hosting the tournament from February 19 to March 9. This will be the only men’s limited-overs competition organized by the ICC in 2025, with eight teams competing for the trophy and the prestigious white blazers. The tournament, originally known as the ICC Knockout, was created to provide elite competition between Test-playing nations and to bridge the gap between the ICC World Cup and promote the game globally. The first edition took place in Bangladesh in 1998 and was won by South Africa. With the introduction of the ICC T20 World Cup and the ICC World Test Championship, the Champions Trophy was discontinued after the 2017 edition, won by Pakistan.
As the tournament returns for its ninth edition, Pakistan is hosting its biggest international sporting event in almost three decades. The last ICC event hosted by Pakistan was in 1996, and the unfortunate 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore led to disruptions in cricket tours in the country for years. Hosting a successful international tournament can help change perceptions about Pakistan, according to cricket experts.
The participating teams in the 2025 Champions Trophy include hosts Pakistan, as well as the top seven ODI teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The tournament follows a group-stage and knockout-stage format, with Afghanistan making their debut in the competition. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
The tournament will kick off with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, with the final scheduled for March 9. Group stage matches will be played from February 19 to March 2, followed by the semifinals on March 4 and 5. The full match schedule is available for reference.
Due to various reasons, India’s matches will be played at a neutral venue in Dubai, UAE. The marquee clash between India and Pakistan has been rescheduled to February 23 in Dubai, and it is expected to be a highly anticipated match.
The tournament matches will be played at various venues in Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with Dubai added as a neutral venue. The prize money for the tournament has been increased to $6.9 million, with the champions receiving $2.24 million.
Pakistan, India, and New Zealand are among the top contenders for the title, with players like Babar Azam, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Glenn Maxwell expected to shine. However, notable players like Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah will be absent from the tournament.