ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Update:
The ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, and a major update about Rohit Sharma has emerged, leaving Pakistan embarrassed.
Until now, there was ambiguity about whether Rohit Sharma would travel to Pakistan for the captains' photoshoot of the Champions Trophy. However, it’s now clear that Rohit Sharma will not be attending the photoshoot.
A press conference for the captains is scheduled in Pakistan on February 16 and 17. But the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has made it unequivocally clear that Rohit Sharma will not travel to Pakistan under any circumstances. However, an official announcement is still anticipated. Moreover, it remains to be seen where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stands on this matter.
The Indian team has not yet announced its squad for the Champions Trophy. The selection is expected post the BCCI meeting on January 18-19. Team India will play all their matches in Dubai, and if they qualify for the semifinals and finals, those matches will also be in Dubai.
Source: aajtak
The First Champions Trophy Match on February 19
The tournament featuring eight countries will kick off on February 19 in Karachi, with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opener. India will begin their campaign the next day in Dubai against Bangladesh. India and reigning champions Pakistan are in Group A along with Bangladesh and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Group B features Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will witness a total of 15 matches among 8 teams, divided into two groups. India and Pakistan share Group A along with New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B comprises South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. Each team will play three matches within its group. The top two from each group will qualify for the semifinals, with the first semifinal in Dubai and the second in Lahore, culminating in the final. Thus, a team reaching the final will play a total of five matches.
Four Venues for the Matches
These 15 matches of the Champions Trophy will be held across four venues, with three in Pakistan and one in Dubai. The Indian team will play all its matches in Dubai, and if they reach the final, it will be held in Dubai. Otherwise, the concluding match will be hosted in Lahore on March 9. A reserve day is scheduled for the semifinals and the final, with the semifinals on March 4 and 5. Lahore and Karachi will host one semifinal each, with ten matches and one semifinal held at Pakistan's three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
The Champions Trophy Groups
Group A - Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh Group B - South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
India and Pakistan in the Same Group
The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature a total of 15 matches including the final, with teams divided into two groups. India and Pakistan are in Group A along with New Zealand and Bangladesh, while South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England comprise Group B. Each team in the group will contest three matches. Post the group phase, the top two teams will progress to the semifinals, with one semifinal in Dubai and the other in Lahore, leading up to the final clash. Reaching the final entails playing five matches throughout the tournament.
Complete Champions Trophy Schedule...
February 19 - Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi February 20 - Bangladesh vs India, Dubai February 21 - Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi February 22 - Australia vs England, Lahore February 23 - Pakistan vs India, Dubai February 24 - Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi February 25 - Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi February 26 - Afghanistan vs England, Lahore February 27 - Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi February 28 - Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore March 1 - South Africa vs England, Karachi March 2 - New Zealand vs India, Dubai March 4 - Semifinal-1, Dubai March 5 - Semifinal-2, Lahore March 9 - Final, Lahore (to be held in Dubai if India qualifies) March 10 - Reserve Day
