Champions Trophy 2025: Lahore to host India-Pak game and final, Karachi gets opener in proposed schedule

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the marquee India vs Pakistan game during Champions Trophy 2025 and the grand finale, while the National Stadium in Karachi will host the opening game, per the draft schedule submitted to the ICC. The latest reports suggest that this high-voltage game will be among the last league games in the 15-match competition that will run fromFebruary 19 to March 19.

Hours after India and Pakistan faced off in a low-scoring thriller at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York in the 2024 T20 World Cup, their next match’s schedule started making headlines. With the eight-team tournament almost eight months away, fans from both countries remain eager for yet another blockbuster tie.

Per Cricbuzz, India's participation remains subject to approval from the Indian government to allow the team to travel to Pakistan for the first time in around 15 years.

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Last year, when Pakistan was supposed to host the Asia Cup, the BCCI denied sending its team across the border, proposing a hybrid model instead. Later, Sri Lanka and Pakistan co-hosted the six-team tournament, with India playing all its games in Sri Lanka, including the final. Though UAE also emerged as the second option forAsia Cup, harsh weather conditions during those months saw it getting ruled out.

Despite BCCI’s stance of not sending the Indian Team to Pakistan for any series or a tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has beentold to begin with the preparations. As things stand, neither the ICC nor the hosting board PCB are considering a hybrid model, with all eyes now on the Indian Cricket Board and the ruling government to take thefinal call.

Meanwhile, ofthe three venues, Lahore will host seven matches, including all India matches, while Rawalpindi will host five and Karachi only three. If India qualifies for the semis, it will play its semi-final match at the Gaddafi Stadium.

India beats Pakistan in New York

The Men in Blue were victorious in their latest T20 WC game against Pakistan in New York, beating them by six runs.

India batted first and scored 119 runs, with Rishabh Pant top-scoring with a gritty 42, while seamers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah returned with three wickets each.

Chasing a modest total, Pakistan lost their captain, Babar Azam, inside the Powerplay. Although they were placed well during the ten-over stage, the Indians made a stunning comeback, restricting Pakistan within the asked target.

Jasprit Bumrah was the star bowler for India, picking three wickets for just 14 runs.

While India sits in the top two with four points, Pakistan tumbled to the fourth position with no wins in two matches played thus far.