Dubai has been officially confirmed as the venue for all Champions Trophy 2025 matches involving India, including a semi-final and potentially the final, should India qualify. The ICC schedule, released on Tuesday, states that “semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify” and will take place in Dubai. Similarly, “semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify”, while Lahore remains the designated host city for the final unless India is one of the finalists, in which case the final will also shift to Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserved days to account for unforeseen delays, according to the ICC.
As initially reported by ESPNcricinfo, the decision to shift India’s matches to the UAE from Pakistan, the official host country, was finalized after discussions between Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, and Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, a senior UAE minister and head of the Emirates Cricket Board. The agreement underscores the cooperation and mutual respect between the cricketing boards and ensures the smooth execution of the tournament.
Key Matches and Schedule Highlights
The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan group-stage match will take place on February 23, a Sunday, in Dubai.
India’s other group-stage games are scheduled against Bangladesh on February 20 and New Zealand on March 2, all hosted in Dubai.
Pakistan, the defending champions, kick off their campaign on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi, with their final group-stage match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.
The tournament features two groups –
Group A – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.
Group B – Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.
While Dubai hosts all India matches, the rest of the games will be played across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 and March 5, with reserve days potentially leading to simultaneous matches, though Dubai’s dry climate in March minimizes this risk.
Neutral Venue Agreement
The hybrid hosting model for the Champions Trophy was finalized with a broader agreement that extends to all ICC events hosted by India and Pakistan till 2027. Under this agreement –
Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India will also be played at neutral venues.
Knockout games, including semi-finals and finals, will always be held at neutral venues when involving both nations.
This arrangement will apply to upcoming tournaments, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup in Pakistan.
Plan Your Visit to Dubai for Champions Trophy 2025
Excited to catch the cricketing action in Dubai? Dubai Tour Visa o-to service provider for seamless visa applications. Whether you’re visiting for the Champions Trophy or exploring Dubai’s breathtaking attractions, our expert team ensures quick and hassle-free visa processing. Book your Dubai visa today and get ready to experience the thrill of world-class cricket along with the splendor of this vibrant city!
Article Source: espncricinfo
