Following an electrifying encounter in New York, cricket fans won’t have to wait long for the next India-Pakistan clash.
The two arch-rivals are set to meet again in the Champions Trophy scheduled for March 2025, unless they encounter each other in the knockout stages of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
According to Cricbuzz, the draft schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy has been submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The much-anticipated India-Pakistan match is slated to be the final league game of the eight-team, 15-match tournament, which will run from February 19 to March 9. While exact dates are still being finalized, Lahore is proposed as the venue for this high-stakes encounter.
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However, the match’s location hinges on approval from the Government of India for the team to play in Pakistan. Should permission not be granted, the tournament may adopt a hybrid model similar to last year’s Asia Cup, with the UAE hosting the India games.
Nonetheless, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been advised to proceed with its preparations.
The PCB has designated Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi as the venues for the 20-day competition. Lahore is set to host seven matches, including all of India’s games and one of the semifinals, provided they qualify.
Rawalpindi will host five matches, while Karachi will host three, including the tournament’s opening match on February 19 and one of the semifinals. The final match is scheduled for March 9 in Lahore.
As of now, both the PCB and the ICC are moving forward without considering the hybrid model. However, the situation remains fluid and could change based on diplomatic developments.
The cricketing world now awaits further decisions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Government of India regarding their participation in Pakistan.
