The much anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started on February 19 with the Pakistan vs New Zealand match. The anticipation is quite high surrounding this tournament as it is returning back after almost eight years. The last Champions Trophy Tournament was held in 2017. Generally, after 2009, the tournament is arranged every four years.
Accordingly, after 2017, the Champions Trophy was scheduled to be held in 2021, which was cancelled due to the influence of logistical considerations. The ICC Champions Trophy which is also known as the mini-World Cup, was first inaugurated in the year of 1998.
The captains. The challenge. The pursuit for glory!
It’s All on the Line at #ChampionsTrophy 2025 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NreHUPrcyL
— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2025Details of Champions Trophy 2025
Group details
The competition in the Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be intense as eight of the top ODI teams are found to have participated in the entire tournament. There will be two groups having four teams in each group in the tournament. Group A consists of New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India whereas Group B involves South Africa, Afghanistan, England and Australia. Two teams from Group A and two teams from Group B will be qualified for the semi-final round according to their performance. After two semi-final rounds, the final match of Champions Trophy 2025 will be held on 9th March between the winners of the semi-final rounds.
Schedule and venues
The New Zealand vs Pakistan match on 19th February has initiated the beginning of Champions Trophy 2025 while the tournament will end on 9th March 2025. A total of 15 ODIs will be played during this tournament. Pakistan is playing the role of host country for the Champions Trophy 2025. Therefore, the majority of the matches are being played in Pakistan while only the matches with India will be played in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
The venues in Pakistan which have been selected for the Champions Trophy 2025 are National Stadium, Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi and Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. All 15 matches will start at 2:30 PM, according to Indian time, while the toss will be done at 2 PM IST.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 19th February | New Zealand vs Pakistan | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 20th February | Bangladesh vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 21st February | South Africa vs Afghanistan | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 22nd February | England vs Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 23rd February | Pakistan vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 24th February | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 25th February | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 26th February | Afghanistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 27th February | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 28th February | Afghanistan vs Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 1st March | South Africa vs England | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 2nd March | New Zealand vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 4th March | 1st Semi-Final | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 5th March | 2nd- Semi-Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 9th March | Final | To be announced later |
The most anticipated India vs Pakistan match
A high anticipation always works among the fans regarding the India vs Pakistan match as it is not just a sporting event, but it is recognised as a clash between the clash between titans influenced by history, culture, political complexities, national pride and decades of sporting rivalry. In Champion Trophy 2025, the India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to be held on 23rd February 2025 in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
In the Champion Trophy 2025, Pakistan started the tournament with a defeat of New Zealand, whereas India won the first match against Bangladesh. In the previous Champion Trophy, which was held in 2017, Pakistan lifted the winner trophy over the win against India in the final round. Pakistan was found to be a winner in the Champion Trophy once in 2017, whereas India lifted the Champion Trophy two times in 2002 and 2013.
Squads
India:Rohit Sharma (c), ViratKohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, ShreyasIyer, Axar Patel, HardikPandya, KuldeepYadav, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Shami, JaspritBumrah, HarshitRana, RavindraJadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Rishabh Pant, VarunChakravarthy.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, FakharZaman, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Faheem Ashraf, TayyabTahir, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, HarisRauf, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Where to watch
India vs Pakistan match can be watched on both TV and on the internet. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports network in India in multiple languages. The match will also be live-streamed on JioHotstar in India. However, audiences need to have subscriptions to watch the full match on JioHotstar across India.
Prediction of IIT Baba on India vs Pakistan match
Abhey Singh, who is well known as IIT Baba, has predicted that in this Champion Trophy, India will lose to India. This statement by IIT Baba was made during the MahaKumbhMela, which has sparked a debate and storm on social media. Certain fan groups are found to be mocking him, while others are getting fearful, upset and stressed towards the results of the match on 23rd February.
Abhey Singh was once regarded as an aerospace engineer, having a degree from IIT Bombay. Despite having a high-paying job in Canada, he decided to leave his job and has undertaken a spiritual path. The unconventional journey of Abhey Singh has led him to become a viral sensation on the internet. However, this is not the first time Abhey Singh has given a shocking statement regarding cricket, which created controversy. In 2024, IIT Baba stated that he played a prominent role in the victory of India in the T20 World Cup.
List of winners in ICC Champion Trophy year-wise
Which team will add their name to this illustrious list at #ChampionsTrophy 2025? 🤔
More 👉 https://t.co/fabqi7qiYz pic.twitter.com/2gY8GpE4W9
— ICC (@ICC) February 19, 2025| Year | Winner | Host country | Teams |
| 1998 | South Africa | Bangladesh | 9 |
| 2000 | New Zealand | Kenya | 11 |
| 2002 | India and Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | 12 |
| 2004 | West Indies | England | 12 |
| 2006 | Australia | India | 10 |
| 2009 | Australia | South Africa | 8 |
| 2013 | India | England and Wales | 8 |
| 2017 | Pakistan | England and Wales | 8 |
| 2025 | To be announced later | Pakistan | 8 |
FAQ
1. When did the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begin?
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started on February 19 with the Pakistan vs New Zealand match.
2. How many teams are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Eight of the top ODI teams are found to have participated in the entire tournament.
3. What are the groups for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Group A consists of New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India whereas Group B involves South Africa, Afghanistan, England and Australia.
4. When and where is the India vs Pakistan match scheduled?
The India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to be held on 23rd February 2025 in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
5. Where can you watch the India vs Pakistan match?
The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports network in India in multiple languages. The match will also be live-streamed on JioHotstar in India.
