Amid debate over 50-over cricket, Champions Trophy to commence on Wednesday | When & where to watch
Dubai: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already generated a buzz even before the first ball is bowled. Intrigue, uncertainty, and backstage drama have surrounded the tournament, promising an exciting three-week spectacle. The competition kicks off on February 19 with an opening clash between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, and the drama is expected to intensify with every match.
Eight teams will battle it out for the prestigious trophy, often described as harder to win than the World Cup. While India’s fixtures will take place in Dubai, the remaining teams will play across Pakistan, marking the country’s return as a host for an ICC event for the first time since the 1996 World Cup.
The journey to the tournament has not been without its challenges. After an eight-year hiatus, logistical and political hurdles had to be overcome to bring the event to life. The competition’s relevance is especially poignant amid the ongoing debate over the future of ODI cricket, a format struggling to carve out its place in the era dominated by T20 cricket and the revered Test format.
The tournament has been fraught with geopolitical tensions, administrative challenges from key boards, and concerns over venue readiness in the primary host country. The chaos recalls the haphazard, yet beloved, cricket events of the 1990s in the subcontinent, where everything seemed a bit last-minute, but the excitement was unmatched.
However, all these pre-tournament uncertainties will quickly fade as the teams take to the field. The opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand promises to be a thrilling encounter. Pakistan, who won the last Champions Trophy in 2017, are a talented yet unpredictable side, while New Zealand, known for their structured and disciplined approach, will look to assert their dominance.
The tournament’s marquee match will come on February 23 when India faces Pakistan in a fixture that never fails to stir up intense emotions, nostalgia, and even political discourse. The match will take place in Dubai, as India continues to decline visiting Pakistan due to security concerns.
Where to watch and listen to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Network 18 channels in India, with comprehensive digital coverage available on Hotstar (now JioHotstar). The tournament will be streamed across 16 feeds, providing coverage in nine languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, ensuring a broad and diverse audience.
For live ball-by-ball commentary, fans can tune in to the ICC’s official website, icc-cricket.com. The ICC will also provide free live radio broadcasts of all matches via its website and app, and in India, All India Radio will offer audio coverage as well.
Match schedule and venues
Each of the Champions Trophy 2025 matches will begin at 2:30 pm local time. The tournament will be hosted across four iconic stadiums: Karachi’s National Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
Team lineups
The eight competing teams are divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals:
Group A: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand
Group B: Australia, South Africa, Afghanistan, England
India’s fixtures
India will start their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on February 23 and a clash with New Zealand on March 2.
Opening match and final
The tournament will commence with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The final is scheduled for March 9, with the venue depending on India’s qualification for the match.
As the tournament kicks off, cricket fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see which team can claim the coveted Champions Trophy. (With inputs from Agencies)