India to play ICC Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, not Pakistan

The ICC revised schedule for the tournament has India playing group matches, semifinal 1 and final, if required, in UAE.

The Champions Trophy 2025 will now be held in Pakistan and Dubai, after hosts Pakistan selected the UAE as a neutral venue for their rivals India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

The venue change followed weeks of wrangling after India refused to visit Pakistan for their matches.

Tournament holders Pakistan will now have to travel to Dubai to play India in a match on 23 February, and again, if the sides were to meet, in the final on March 9.

“Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days,” the ICC said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.”

The eight-team competition kicks off on February 19 in Karachi, featuring a total of 15 matches across Pakistan and Dubai.

Tournament matches will be held in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Each venue in the country is set to host three group-stage games, with Lahore also staging the second semifinal.

Pakistan face New Zealand in the Group A opener in Karachi on February 19, while India meet Bangladesh in Dubai a day later.

Due to strained political ties, India have not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), citing government advice, has refused to send its team for the Champions Trophy.

The ICC said last week that matches between India and Pakistan in tournaments from 2024 to 2027 organised in either nation would be played at neutral venues.

The Champions Trophy will be the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since it shared the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

India fans in stand.
India fans will need to travel to Dubai to watch their team play in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy [Satish Kumar/Reuters]

Source

:

Al Jazeera and news agencies

Read More

  • Related Posts

    Champions League winner PSG made nearly $1 billion in club-record revenue last season

    Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain has generated club-record revenue of 837 million euros ($976 million) last season ByJEROME PUGMIRE AP sports writer October 28, 2025, 9:00 AM PARIS — Champions…

    India conducts cloud-seeding trial to clear New Delhi’s smog

    Indian authorities have conducted a cloud-seeding experiment over New Delhi to induce rainfall and clear the city’s toxic air BySHEIKH SAALIQ Associated Press and SIBI ARASU Associated Press October 28,…

    You Missed

    British father was unlawfully killed by an Iranian drone while on an empty oil tanker in the Middle East, inquest rules

    British father was unlawfully killed by an Iranian drone while on an empty oil tanker in the Middle East, inquest rules

    BBC attacks King over tax: Veteran David Dimbleby says ‘ultra-rich’ Charles should be paying in more

    BBC attacks King over tax: Veteran David Dimbleby says ‘ultra-rich’ Charles should be paying in more

    Playing dress-ups, hugs, and big smiles: William Tyrrell’s sister shares haunting never-before-seen photos of her little brother before he mysteriously disappeared

    Playing dress-ups, hugs, and big smiles: William Tyrrell’s sister shares haunting never-before-seen photos of her little brother before he mysteriously disappeared

    Moment Reeves refuses to meet Kemi Badenoch’s eye in TV showdown after Tory leader branded her a liar and ridiculed her ‘sexism’ complaints

    Moment Reeves refuses to meet Kemi Badenoch’s eye in TV showdown after Tory leader branded her a liar and ridiculed her ‘sexism’ complaints

    Hollywood’s secret script doctor: How Sir Tom Stoppard’s uncredited writing for Spielberg and Lucas made their blockbusters sing

    Hollywood’s secret script doctor: How Sir Tom Stoppard’s uncredited writing for Spielberg and Lucas made their blockbusters sing

    Cyber Monday 2025 UK deals live: The best offers still on after Black Friday on big-name brands

    • By poster
    • December 15, 2025
    • 2 views
    Cyber Monday 2025 UK deals live: The best offers still on after Black Friday on big-name brands