Your essential guide to the ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy makes a long-awaited return on Wednesday, 19 February.Here's everything you need about the 50-over tournament that will take place in Pakistan and Dubai over two and a half weeks.
What is the ICC Champions Trophy?
After eight years away, the ICC Champions Trophy returns for its ninth edition.Originally known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy, the Champions Trophy is a quadrennial tournament played in in the 50-over/one-day international format.It began in 1998 and ran until 2017 when it was axed in line with the ICC's goal of having one tournament for each of the three formats of international cricket.The ICC announced in November 2021 that Pakistan would host the tournament as it makes it return. The 2029 edition is set to be in India.
Champions Trophy 2025 – dates, schedule, venues & format
The tournament runs from 19 February to 9 March and will take place in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.It is the first ICC global event in Pakistan since 1996 due to safety concerns after a terrorist attack in 2009. Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore will host matches and all the grounds have undergone significant renovation work.However, any matches involving India - including a potential semi-final and the final - will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE (more on that to come).The eight teams have been split into two pools of four for the group stage, which runs until 2 March.Teams play the other three sides in their group once and the top two progress to the semi-finals, which take place on 4 and 5 March. The final is on 9 March. One game will take place per day in the group stage, with all matches starting at 09:00 GMT. Pakistan play New Zealand in Karachi in the opener.No official warm-up matches have been announced and the traditional pre-tournament events including the press conference featuring all eight captains and the official photo shoot have been cancelled.This is due to the late arrival of some of the teams with Australia expected to arrive in Lahore on 19 February, the day the tournament begins.India are expected to play one warm-up match against either Bangladesh or the UAE in order to get familiar with conditions. A date for the match is yet to be confirmed.
When is the Champions Trophy 2025 final?
The Champions Trophy final is scheduled for Sunday, 9 March.However the venue for the final will only be decided once the participants are known.If India reach the final it will take place in Dubai, but if Rohit Sharma's side fail to qualify it will be at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Which teams are taking part in the 2025 Champions Trophy?
The eight teams have been split into two groups of four. They are:Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, BangladeshGroup B: South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, EnglandThe hosts (so Pakistan in this case) automatically qualify and from the 2025 edition onwards the top seven teams from the most recent ICC Men's World Cup also qualify. If the hosts are among those seven then eighth gets in, as is the case with Bangladesh this time.Teams had until 12 February to confirm their final squads. Australia captain Pat Cummins and seamer Mitchell Starc, India bowler Jasprit Bumrah, England all-rounder Jacob Bethell and South Africa quick Anrich Nortje are among those missing the tournament through injury.
Why are India not travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy?
Since 2008, the India cricket team has refused to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions between the countries.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told the ICC - cricket's governing body - that they would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament.The issue was discussed over a number of months before it was decided India's matches would be played at a neutral venue in the UAE. The agreement will be in place for all ICC events in either Pakistan or India until at least 2027, for both the men's and women's sides. It will also include the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup in Pakistan. The last time India travelled to Pakistan for a game was the 2008 Asia Cup, but Pakistan have played several matches in India including the 2023 50-over World Cup. However, since Pakistan travelled to India for a bilateral series in 2012, the two teams have only ever met at ICC events.There will be no Indian umpires at the tournament either.
Who are the favourites to win the Champions Trophy?
According to the bookmakers India are favourites to win the 2025 Champions Trophy, closely followed by Australia. The pair are first and second in the ICC ODI rankings and faced each other in the 2023 World Cup final with Australia victorious.Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri have told the official ICC website, external that the duo are their favourites again. Hosts Pakistan are third in the ICC rankings, ahead of New Zealand and South Africa.England sit seventh - below Sri Lanka, who failed to qualify - with Afghanistan and Bangladesh below them. Despite their lowly ranking Jos Buttler's side are third favourites with the bookmakers to win the tournament. Rankings correct as of 9 February.
Who are the previous winners of the Champions Trophy?
This year will be the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy and these are the previous winners of the tournament:1998: South Africa2000: New Zealand2002: India and Sri Lanka declared co-champions after two finals washed out2004: West Indies2006: Australia2009: Australia2013: India2017: Pakistan
How to follow on the BBC?
There will be ball-by-ball commentary on all 15 matches across BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website and app.Members of Test Match Special include Jonathan Agnew, Aatif Nawaz, Vic Marks, Alex Hartley and Tymal Mills. The BBC Sport website and app will have live text commentary on every match.There will also be regular coverage on the BBC Cricket Instagram, external and WhatsApp, external account.The tournament is available to watch live in the UK on Sky Sports.
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