ICC Champions Trophy 2025 – Fixture, News and Live Update
The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious international cricket tournament contested by the top eight ODI teams globally. While the tournament was traditionally held every two years, it has been eight years since the last edition in 2017, which Pakistan won. This year, the tournament will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19 to March 9, 2025. This marks a significant moment for Pakistan, as it hosts a major global cricket tournament for the first time since the ODI World Cup in 1996. Matches will be played across four venues: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, with Dubai in the UAE serving as a neutral venue.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Latest News
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour recently concluded its England leg and is now making its way to India, where the trophy will be displayed in Mumbai and Bangalore. This tour aims to build excitement and anticipation for the tournament among fans.
India’s participation in the tournament has been a subject of much discussion. Due to security concerns, India will play all its matches in Dubai, UAE. This decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns among sponsors who rely heavily on the high-profile India-Pakistan clash to drive viewership. Some sponsors have even threatened legal action against the ICC if India and Pakistan do not face each other in the tournament. However, it’s important to note that six other participating nations have agreed to travel to Pakistan, suggesting that the security situation is not a concern for them. This situation highlights the complex geopolitical realities surrounding India-Pakistan cricketing relations, which have been strained for many years.
Adding to the complexity, there is speculation about a potential change in the tournament’s format from ODIs to T20s. This is driven by concerns about the declining popularity of ODIs and the rising preference for the faster-paced T20 format. The ICC has yet to make a final decision on this matter, but the discussions reflect the evolving landscape of cricket and the need to adapt to changing audience preferences.
In other news, the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy has been announced, with some notable inclusions and exclusions. Shubman Gill has been appointed as the vice-captain for both the Champions Trophy and the preceding ODI series against England. Mohammed Siraj, despite his recent performances, has been dropped from the ODI team, with selectors preferring Arshdeep Singh due to his effectiveness with both the new and old ball. This decision has surprised some fans and experts, as Siraj has been a key part of India’s bowling attack in recent times. The exclusion of Sanju Samson from the squad has also generated considerable debate, with many questioning the decision given his recent form and potential.
Furthermore, there are injury concerns surrounding the Australian team heading into the Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship Final. This could potentially impact their performance in the tournament. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has appointed a former Pakistan skipper as a mentor for the tournament, indicating their serious intentions. Pakistan, the defending champions, are coming off a historic series win against South Africa, boosting their confidence ahead of the tournament. There is also an update on Fakhar Zaman’s recovery, which is positive news for Pakistan fans.
Finally, the ICC has confirmed a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, with India playing its matches in Dubai. As compensation for accepting this model, Pakistan has been allowed to play its matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo. This agreement highlights the efforts made by the ICC to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament despite the challenges. However, it also raises questions about the potential financial losses for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if they had withdrawn as hosts. The BCCI has also introduced a 10-point guideline for contracted players.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Fixture
The ICC has released the official fixture for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament will commence on February 19th with a clash between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. The final will be held on March 9th at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Each of the three Pakistan venues (Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi) will host three group stage matches.
The eight participating teams are divided into two groups:
Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh
Group B: Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan
Each team will play the other teams in their group, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is confirmed as the neutral venue for India’s matches.
Here is the complete fixture for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Match No. | Match | Venue | Date | Time (IST) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | National Stadium, Karachi | 19th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
2 | India vs Bangladesh | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 20th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
3 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi | 21st February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
4 | Australia vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 22nd February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
5 | Pakistan vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 23rd February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
6 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 24th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
7 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 25th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
8 | Afghanistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 26th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
9 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 27th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
10 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 28th February 2025 | 2:30 pm |
11 | South Africa vs England | National Stadium, Karachi | 1st March 2025 | 2:30 pm |
12 | New Zealand vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 2nd March 2025 | 2:30 pm |
13 | Semi-final 1 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 4th March 2025 | 2:30 pm |
14 | Semi-final 2 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 5th March 2025 | 2:30 pm |
15 | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 9th March 2025 | 2:30 pm |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Live
Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly looking forward to watching the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 live. The live telecast of the matches in India will be available on the Star Sports Network, with live streaming on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website. The live streaming of the India squad announcement for the Champions Trophy 2025 and England series will likely be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website as well. Star Sports plays a crucial role in distributing ICC events to a global audience, ensuring that the tournament is accessible to fans in many countries.
Here’s a table with the broadcasters for different regions:
Region/Country | Broadcaster | Channels/Platforms |
---|---|---|
India | Star Sports Network | Star Sports TV channels, Disney+ Hotstar app and website |
Afghanistan | ATN | |
Australia | Amazon | |
Bangladesh | TSM | Nagorik TV |
Caribbean Islands | ESPN Caribbean | ESPN Caribbean, ESPN2 Caribbean, ESPN Extra |
Fans can also register their interest for tickets on the ICC website to secure their spots at the matches.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Score Update
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has not yet commenced, so live score updates are not available. However, fans can stay updated on the scores by following the tournament on the ICC website or app. Sports news websites and social media platforms will also provide live updates and match analyses.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Point Table
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to begin, a point table is currently unavailable. Once the tournament starts, a point table will be created to track the performance of each team. Teams will earn points based on their results in the matches, with wins, losses, and ties contributing to their overall score. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals based on their positions in the point table.
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a thrilling tournament, with the world’s best ODI teams vying for glory. The return of this prestigious event after eight years has generated immense excitement and anticipation among cricket fans worldwide. However, the tournament is not without its challenges. The controversy surrounding India’s decision to play its matches at a neutral venue due to security concerns has raised questions about the fairness and implications for the tournament. The potential shift to a T20 format also reflects the changing dynamics of the cricketing landscape and the need to adapt to evolving audience preferences.
As a Bangladeshi sports journalist, I am particularly excited to see how Bangladesh performs in this tournament. The Tigers have shown great potential in recent years, and I believe they have the capability to cause upsets and make a strong run in the tournament. I am also eager to witness the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan, even though it will be played at a neutral venue. This rivalry always produces captivating cricket, and I am sure this time will be no different.
Overall, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be a memorable event, filled with exciting matches, intense rivalries, and unpredictable outcomes. It will be fascinating to see which team emerges victorious and claims the title of champions.