Karachi: Pakistan will host its first major cricket tournament in almost three decades as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off on Wednesday. The Green Shirts, winners of the 2017 edition, will face New Zealand in the opening match at the National Stadium in Karachi. The first ball is set to be bowled at 2 PM PST.
Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996, concluding with the ICC Cricket World Cup final at Gaddafi Stadium, where Sri Lanka defeated Australia. International cricket was largely absent from the country after the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore. However, a successful security crackdown led to the gradual return of international teams, with Test cricket resuming in 2019.
Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa have since toured Pakistan, reinforcing the country’s case to host the prestigious tournament.
The eight-team tournament will take place from February 19 to March 9 across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as in Dubai, UAE. Political tensions have prevented India from playing in Pakistan, so all their matches will be held in Dubai.
Security has been heightened in host cities, even though major city attacks have become increasingly rare.
Pakistan’s three host venues—Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, National Stadium Karachi, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium—have undergone extensive upgrades to meet international standards. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi assured that “Pakistan is fully prepared to host the Champions Trophy. International standard facilities will be provided to all teams, and fans will receive top-tier amenities.”
To celebrate the occasion, the opening ceremony will feature an air show by the Pakistan Air Force’s acrobatic team, ‘Sher Dils,’ along with a performance by iconic F-16 fighter jets. President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest at the event.
Read More: ICC Champions Trophy opening ceremony lights up Lahore Fort
Pakistan’s Journey in the Champions Trophy
Pakistan enters the tournament as the defending champions, having defeated India in the 2017 final. Fakhar Zaman was the player of the final with his brilliant 114 off 106 deliveries, while Hasan Ali was named the player of the tournament for his 13-wicket haul.
The teams have been divided into two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and New Zealand
- Group B: Afghanistan, Australia (current ODI World Cup champions), England, and South Africa
Pakistan’s group stage fixtures:
- February 19 – vs New Zealand, Karachi
- February 23 – vs India, Dubai
- February 27 – vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
Three group matches each will be played in Dubai, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 (Dubai) and March 5 (Lahore). If India qualifies for the final, it will take place in Dubai; otherwise, it will be held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 9.
Apart from their 2017 triumph, Pakistan has previously reached the semi-finals in 2000, 2004, and 2009.
Pakistan’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wicket-keeper)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Kamran Ghulam
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Naseem Shah
- Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain)
- Saud Shakeel
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Tayyab Tahir
- Usman Khan
Captain Mohammad Rizwan’s Statement
“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years, so I believe the entire nation is celebrating this historic occasion. We have worked hard, learned from our mistakes, and are fully prepared. Our sole focus is on winning the tournament for the country and our people,” Rizwan stated.
With the tournament set to begin, cricket fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating an exciting and competitive ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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