The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is eagerly awaiting the final approval of the schedule for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in February-March.In recent discussions with ICC officials, the PCB has stressed the importance of timely schedule finalization to ensure seamless logistical planning.
According to sources within the cricket board, provisional bookings have been made based on the proposed schedule. The board plans to confirm these arrangements once the official schedule is announced.
The ICC is expected to make a definitive announcement regarding the Champions Trophy schedule by the end of October.
There's also a possibility that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI Secretary, newly appointed ICC Chairman Jay Shah, could meet next month during the upcoming 2024 Women's World Cup final to discuss further details.
The proposed schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy indicates that Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Group B comprises England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan. The BCCI is awaiting Indian government consultations before confirming their participation in matches hosted in Pakistan.
Scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with a reserve day on March 10, the tournament's matches are set to be played across Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Lahore will host seven matches, including the final, while Karachi's National Stadium will stage the opening match and one semi-final, totaling three matches. Rawalpindi is slated to host five matches, including the other semi-final.
The semi-finals are scheduled for March 5 and 6 in Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively, with the final set to take place in Lahore on March 9.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 proposed schedule: