According to the draft schedule submitted to the ICC, the National Stadium in Karachi would host the opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025, while the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the grand finale featuring India vs. Pakistan. According to the most recent rumors, this high-stakes matchup is expected to be one of the final league games of the competition, which runs from February 19 to March 19.
The scheduling for India and Pakistan’s upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup match began making news hours after they played each other in a low-scoring thriller at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York. Even though the eight-team competition is still eight months away, supporters of both nations are nevertheless excited about another thrilling matchup.
India’s participation is still pending official clearance, according to Cricbuzz, which would enable the squad to visit Pakistan for the first time in about 15 years.
The BCCI refused to send its side over the border to host the Asia Cup last year, citing a hybrid format as an alternative. Pakistan was meant to host the competition. Subsequently, India played all of its games—including the championship match—in Sri Lanka, while Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosted the six-team competition. UAE was the second choice for the Asia Cup, however due to the severe weather in those months, it was eliminated.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is instructed to start making arrangements even though the BCCI has stated that it would not be sending the Indian team to Pakistan for a series or competition.
Lahore will host seven matches—all against India—at the three grounds, while Rawalpindi will host five and Karachi just three. India will play its semi-final encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium if it makes it to the semifinals.
