ICC Champions Trophy: India-Pakistan Matches to be Played in Dubai
According to PCB, all matches of India in the ICC CT 2025 will take place in the United Arab Emirates. At this point, the dispute between PCB Board and BCCI has been officially settled. Everything to know about the 2025 Champions Trophy is here, including the match schedule, groupings, and venue details.
India’s Matches in UAE
There were several questions about India’s Champions Trophy 2025 participation, particularly in relation to the location. Citing security concerns, India had previously informed the International Cricket Council that they would not be attending the eight-team ODI event in Pakistan. The PCB was disappointed by this and even threatened to withdraw from the tournament at one time. Nonetheless, the ICC strongly backed the BCCI, particularly in the midst of Islamabad’s political turmoil.
The ICC resorted to the hybrid model of Champions Trophy 2025 to counter the problem. Under this proposal, India would play all the games either at the semifinal or championship match from a neutral venue. This choice has been made through the discussion of Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, the chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board with Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB. According to PCB spokesperson Amir Mir, this decision was officially communicated to the ICC.
Dubai Likely to Host India’s Matches
It is still unclear which city will host India’s matches, despite the PCB’s announcement that the UAE will act as an impartial venue. However, Dubai is seen as the most likely site due to its first-rate facilities and enormous stadiums that can host high-profile games.
CT’25: Groupings and Schedule
In the year 2025, a Champions Trophy will exist in which a total of eight teams will take place in two groups. The teams and their corresponding groups are –
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harleen Deol | 110 | 128 | 15 | 2 | 85.93 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 45 | 55 | 5 | 1 | 81.82 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 32 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 76.19 |
| Richa Ghosh | 28 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 80.00 |
The matches will be spread across different cities in Pakistan, with India’s matches scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE.
Important Matches and Dates
India is reportedly slated to play Pakistan on Sunday, February 23. Dubai will host this widely reported encounter between the opposing sides. Here’s a breakdown of India’s match schedule:
- India vs Bangladesh: February 20
- India vs Pakistan: February 23
- India vs New Zealand: March 2
The schedule for Pakistan, as per reports, is as follows:
- Pakistan vs New Zealand: February 19
- Pakistan vs Bangladesh: February 27
Other Matches in Pakistan
The remaining teams in Group B will try their chances in three cities; Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi for these teams; Australia, England, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
The Hybrid Model Explained
The hybrid model was brought in as a solution to security concerns raised by India for the deadlock that has arisen between ICC, PCB, and BCCI. Under this model, all India’s matches shall be held in a neutral venue, and this shall apply to future global events till 2027, which include:
- ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (hosted by Pakistan)
- ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India)
- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka)
Whenever Pakistan hosts any home matches, India is not likely to play against them at the moment and will organize its matches on alternative grounds such as the UAE.
Stadiums in UAE
Diverse world-class international cricket arenas dominate the UAE, and Dubai International Stadium is one where all matches associated with India have to take place. This ground had previously played host to many eminent cricketing events and has all that it takes to be the venue for a tournament of this magnitude.
List of Key Stadiums in UAE:
| Stadium | Location | Capacity | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Stadium | Dubai | 25,000 | ICC events, IPL, T20 World Cup |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Sharjah | 27,000 | Multiple ICC events, Asia Cup |
| Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium | Abu Dhabi | 20,000 | PSL, T20I series |
What We Know About the Championship’s Schedule?
The ICC has not yet released the official schedule, but we can expect the CT’25 to start on February 19 and end on March 9. The final match will be held at the Dubai, provided India progresses through the tournament and makes it to the knockout stages.
What About the Squads?
The squads of the eight finalists are not yet confirmed; however, powerhouse entrants like England, Australia, and New Zealand are set to bolster competitive squads Here is the list of teams:
- England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Ben Duckett, and others (to be confirmed)
- Pakistan: Squad to be confirmed
- India: Squad to be confirmed
- Australia: Squad to be confirmed
- New Zealand: Squad to be confirmed
- South Africa: Squad to be confirmed
- Bangladesh: Squad to be confirmed
- Afghanistan: Squad to be confirmed
Conclusion
Since the two team’s match will take place in Dubai, the ICC CT’25 is bound to be an interesting and highly anticipated competition. Even though the UAE has been chosen as the neutral host, the tournament will definitely have some intense competition between the world’s best teams. As fans watch their favorite cricket players in match action at one of the most sought-after cricket grounds in Dubai, they can look forward to some exciting matches and dramatic scenes.
Keep an eye out for the official schedule and squads that will be announced in the upcoming months as we await the eagerly anticipated India vs. Pakistan encounter!
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