New Delhi [India], January 11: The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour has just concluded its thrilling Australian leg, leaving fans excited for the upcoming tournament. Set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, this edition promises to be an exhilarating showcase of cricket.
During the Australian tour, the trophy visited iconic locations in Melbourne and Sydney, captivating fans with a variety of activities and appearances by cricket legends. The event saw former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, a two-time ICC Champions Trophy winner, interact with fans and share his insights and predictions for the tournament. The trophy also made its presence felt during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with appearances at the fourth and fifth Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, where cricket greats like Irfan Pathan, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Vaughan, and Justin Langer posed with it.
In Melbourne, the trophy was displayed at landmark locations such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Flinders Street, Yarra River, and Hosier Lane. The tour continued in Sydney with stops at Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, and the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The tour has now moved on to visit all eight participating nations, following successful stops in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa. The excitement for the eight-team tournament is building, with the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match set to take place on February 23 in Dubai.
The tournament’s groups are as follows: Group A includes current champions Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh; Group B features Cricket World Cup 2023 champions Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
The tournament will consist of 15 50-over matches, with games being played across Pakistan and Dubai. Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will host the matches in Pakistan, with Lahore holding the second semi-final and the final on March 9. If India qualifies for the final, it will be played in Dubai. The three group-stage matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will also be in Dubai.
The opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place in Karachi on February 19, followed by India vs. Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. Group B begins on February 21, with Afghanistan facing South Africa in Karachi. A high-stakes weekend follows, with England taking on Australia in Lahore on February 22, and the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash later that day.
The teams competing for the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy are those that finished in the top eight of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 points table. Fans can look forward to thrilling cricket action as the tournament nears.