Pakistan-India Champions Trophy clash set for Feb 23 in Dubai

LAHORE: Bitter rivals Pakistan and India will square off in the marquee group game of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Feb 23 as the International Cricket Council finally announced the schedule on Tuesday.

India refused to travel to Pakistan due to security fears and political tension and that forced the ICC to delay its announcement for more than a month.

The eight-team competition kicks off on Feb 19 in Karachi and wraps up with the final on March 9, featuring a total of 15 matches split between host country Pakistan and neutral venue Dubai.

The competing teams are divided into two Groups with defending champions Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh in Group ‘A’ while Group ‘B’ comprises South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England.

Pakistan is to host a minimum of 10 games in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Each venue in the country is set to host three group-stage games, with Lahore also staging the second semi-final.

India is to play its three Group ‘A’ matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai. If India qualifies for the semi-finals and the final, those games will also be staged in Dubai.

“Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days,” the ICC said in a statement. “The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.”

Pakistan, who won the title in 2017, will open the event with a match against New Zealand while India play Bangladesh in Dubai the following day.

The first semi-final will be held in Dubai on March 4 while Lahore will stage the second the next day.

Pakistan is hosting its first global cricket event since 1996, when it was one of the co-hosts for the ODI World Cup.

“The ICC is delighted to release the schedule … marking the tournament’s much-anticipated first return since 2017,” ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement. “The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.

“This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity.”

The final announcement came after a month long stand-off with the Pakistan Cricket Board initially adamant it hosts all the matches.

But after the Board of Control for Cricket in India refused to change its stance the PCB finally agreed, though they reached a compromise as Pakistan will play at a neutral venue in any event hosted by India until 2027.

That means Pakistan will go to a neutral venue when India hosts the 2025 women’s World Cup and co-hosts the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.

As compensation for not hosting India at the Champions Trophy, the ICC awarded the 2028 women’s T20 World Cup to Pakistan.

“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.”

He said that hosting the Champions Trophy “is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organisers. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials and fans alike.”

The PCB has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will become the biggest stadium in the country with a seating capacity 34000 following the revamp, will however not host any Pakistan game during the group stage.

But it will play host to the Group ‘B’ clash between two other traditional rivals England and Australia on Feb 22. Afghanistan’s matches in the same group against both England and Australia will also be played at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Apart from the opener, Karachi’s National Stadium will hold two clashes involving South Africa — against Afghanistan and England.

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host Pakistan’s final Group ‘A’ game against Bangladesh while also holding Bangladesh v New Zealand and Australia v South Africa.

Pakistan head into the tournament as the form team, having won their last five bilateral series — last week becoming the first team to sweep South Africa in an away series — and skipper Mohammad Rizwan is looking forward to the country hosting its first international tournament after 28 years.

“As a cricket loving country, we are all very excited to host the Champions Trophy,” Rizwan was quoted as saying in a PCB media release. “Having done well with the help of Almighty in the ODIs recently adds to the excitement and build-up towards the mega-event, and we eagerly look forward to playing in front of our home crowd and excelling in the eight-team tournament.

“Hosting the ICC Champions Trophy is a great occasion as Pakistan welcomes the first ICC event to its shores in 28 years and especially as we are the defending champions. We will try to meet the expectations of our fans.

“Our country is known for its great hospitality and I am sure the fans will not only support our team, but also appreciate the performances of other teams.”

Schedule:

Feb 19: Pakistan v New Zealand (National Stadium, Karachi).

Feb 20: Bangladesh v India (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai).

Feb 21: Afghanistan v South Africa (National Stadium, Karachi).

Feb 22: Australia v England (Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore).

Feb 23: Pakistan v India (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai).

Feb 24: Bangladesh v New Zealand (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi).

Feb 25: Australia v South Africa (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi).

Feb 26: Afghanistan v England (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore).

Feb 27: Pakistan v Bangladesh (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi).

Feb 28: Afghanistan v Australia (Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore).

March 1: South Africa v England (National Stadium, Karachi).