The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off today, February 19, with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. This match marks the beginning of Pakistan’s title defense, having won the tournament in 2017. The opening game is scheduled to start at 2 PM PKT.
Historic Significance of the Tournament
This edition of the Champions Trophy is significant as it’s the first major ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The tournament will be held across three venues in Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as well as in Dubai, UAE, from February 19 to March 9. In preparation, these Pakistani venues have undergone major upgrades to offer world-class facilities to players and spectators.
Tournament Format and Groups
The eight participating teams are divided into two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand
- Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa
Pakistan’s Group Stage Matches
Following today’s match, Pakistan will play against India on February 23 in Dubai and against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi. The group stage features matches evenly distributed among Dubai, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
Knockout Rounds: Semi-Finals & Final
- Semi-finals: March 4 in Dubai and March 5 in Lahore
- Final: March 9 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium (or in Dubai if India qualifies)
Pakistan’s Captain Expresses Enthusiasm
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed enthusiasm ahead of the opening match:
“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years, so I believe the entire nation is celebrating this historic occasion. There are no doubts about our performance; we have worked hard and learned from our mistakes. We hope that we play well tomorrow, Insha’Allah.”
Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await this historic tournament, anticipating high-quality matches and memorable moments.
