India and Pakistan Drawn in Group A for 2025 Champions Trophy

India will face Pakistan in Dubai on February 23 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, following the recent announcement of the tournament’s fixtures. The event will feature eight teams and run from February 19 to March 9 with Pakistan hosting alongside Dubai as a neutral venue. Pakistan and India headline Group A which also includes New Zealand and Bangladesh. Group B features England, Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan.

Pakistan will open the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19 while India will start their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. India refused to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions, prompting organizers to select Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches. As a result, India will play all three group games and the first semi-final on March 4 in the UAE.

If India qualifies for the final, scheduled for Lahore on March 9, the match will also move to Dubai. England begins its campaign against Australia in Lahore on February 22 followed by games against Afghanistan and South Africa. Pakistan will host its first global event since 1996 with this Champions Trophy. The PCB, BCCI and ICC finalized an agreement that assigns neutral venues for matches between India and Pakistan until 2027.

Similarly, Pakistan will play at neutral venues during ICC events hosted by India. Pakistan continues to enhance its reputation as a cricket host with the Women’s T20 World Cup also planned for 2028 under similar conditions. Notably, India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC tournaments since 2013 and India last played in Pakistan in 2008.