India beats Pakistan by 6 runs in T20 World Cup©AFP
With the excitement of India vs Pakistan’s T20 World Cup showdown in New York still not over, reports are already emerging regarding the schedule of both teams in the Champions Trophy 2025. India and Pakistan are arguably the two most-watched teams in world cricket and are reportedly set to face off in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore. A draft schedule for the tournament has been sent to the International Cricket Council, suggesting that the 50-over event will be held between February 19 and March 9.
According to Cricbuzz, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already finalised the proposed schedule and sent it to the ICC for approval. The schedule calls for India to tour Lahore, Pakistan for the match. However, it is not certain whether India will tour Pakistan for the high-profile clash. The only condition for Rohit Sharma’s team to travel across the border is if they get approval from the Indian government.
The PCB has reportedly suggested the names of Karachi and Rawalpindi as possible venues for the 20-day event, but Lahore remains the sole centre for the game in India. A total of seven matches are reportedly scheduled in Lahore, five in Rawalpindi and three in Karachi.
The opening match of the tournament will be held in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19, while the two semi-finals will be played in Karachi and Rawalpindi. The final of the 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in Lahore on Sunday, March 9. If India makes it to the semi-finals, that match will also be played in Lahore.
While the PCB is all-out for the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan, the BCCI is yet to agree to the proposed venue. As of now, neither the PCB nor the ICC have any plans to switch to the hybrid model used for the 2023 Asia Cup.
The BCI needs permission from the Indian government to visit Pakistan, and with relations between the two countries remaining strained, it seems unlikely that the Indian committee will get approval, at least given the current situation.
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