Within days of the Indian Cricket Team’s historic second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup win, Rohit Sharma and his team are gearing up for another thrilling encounter against Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
India vs Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium
According to the latest reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted its draft schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy, setting up a highly anticipated India-Pakistan match at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 1 March 2025.
BCCI’s Consent Pending
Despite the excitement, it remains uncertain if India will travel to Pakistan, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet given its consent. An ICC board member stated, “All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured their complete support, but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC.”
Event Details
Pakistan will host the ICC event from 19 February to 9 March, with 10 March reserved as a backup day for the final. India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B consists of Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.
PCB’s Draft Schedule
The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was invited to the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, submitted a 15-match schedule with all of India’s games proposed to be held in Lahore for security and logistical reasons. According to PTI’s ICC source, “The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi.”
The opening match will be held in Karachi, with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, and the final in Lahore. All India matches, including a potential semifinal, are scheduled for Lahore.
Historical Context
In 2023, Pakistan co-hosted the Asia Cup with Sri Lanka in a ‘Hybrid Model,’ where India played its Asia Cup games in Sri Lanka, leading up to the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup.