The Champions Trophy (CT) 2025 is fast approaching us, with the opening match scheduled for February 19. And the excitement for the 50-over event is through the roof, as the tournament returns after eight years.
Defending champions Pakistan are the official hosts for CT 2025, though a few matches will also take place in the UAE’s Dubai. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to host India’s matches in Dubai, bringing in a hybrid model.
But why will India play their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai?
The political relations between India and Pakistan have not been good for quite some time now. Both countries haven’t played against each other in a bilateral series since 2012 and only meet in ICC and ACC tournaments.
But this is not the first time India have given travelling to Pakistan a miss. When the Asia Cup happened in 2023, Pakistan were the official host.
However, since the Indian government didn’t allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan, the tournament went ahead with a hybrid model in place. That time, Sri Lanka stepped in to host nine matches, including India’s, while Pakistan staged four games.
Now in the CT 2025, India will play their three group stage games at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their first match will be against Bangladesh (Feb 20), followed by Pakistan (Feb 23), and New Zealand (Mar 2).
Now that’s about the group stage games. But what about the semi-final and final?
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Where will India play if they qualify for the Champions Trophy knockouts?
The ICC has earmarked Dubai as the designated venue for the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. So if India manage to qualify for the semis, then they will play the game scheduled in Dubai on March 4. And even if the Men in Blue don’t make the cut, the first semi-final will anyway take place there.
Now for the final, the same arrangement will be in place. But Dubai will only host the final on March 9 if India make it to the ultimate game.
So they won’t travel to Pakistan for the final either, though Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the match if India doesn’t qualify for it.
Well, this is how the Champions Trophy 2025 will pan out for India, including the league stage matches and the knockouts.
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