New Delhi: Pakistan is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 across three cities over the next two-and-a-half weeks, but for the Asian giants, this tournament carries significance beyond cricket. Successfully organizing the event in a smooth and secure manner will serve as a major step in proving to the world that Pakistan is once again a safe destination for international sports.
The last time Pakistan hosted a global multi-team tournament was the 1996 Cricket Wills World Cup, which it co-hosted alongside India and Sri Lanka. However, the country’s standing as a cricketing host suffered a devastating blow in 2009 due to a terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, which drastically altered the trajectory of Pakistan’s cricketing history.
In the aftermath of that horrific incident, where Islamist gunmen ambushed a bus carrying Sri Lankan players in Lahore—injuring multiple cricketers and killing eight policemen and civilians—Pakistan was largely shunned as a venue for international matches.
Reflecting on the devastating impact of the attack, former Pakistan captain Inzamam Ul Haq said, “Right now, everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy in schools, houses, markets, offices, everywhere. The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream. We were punished for 10 years. Our cricket went backwards,” he told Reuters.
“Seeing the stars playing live is a big deal for fans and young cricketers. Not having that meant the whole cricket machinery was jammed. A Pakistan-India match is not just a game of cricket, it’s a game of expectations, of emotions,” added another former Pakistan captain Misbah-Ul-Haq.
Test cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019, and Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa later toured the country, helping the country’s bid to host the tournament.
Those teams will all be in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
Champions Trophy Groups
Group A: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand
Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa
ICC Champions Trophy schedule
Group A
February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand (Karachi)
February 20: Bangladesh vs India (Dubai)
February 23: Pakistan vs India (Dubai)
February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand (Rawalpindi)
February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Rawalpindi)
March 2: New Zealand vs India (Dubai)
Group B
February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa (Karachi)
February 22: Australia vs England (Lahore)
February 25: Australia vs South Africa (Rawalpindi)
February 26: Afghanistan vs England (Lahore)
February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia (Lahore)
Mar 1: South Africa vs England (Karachi)
Semi-finals
March 4: Semi-final -, A1 v B2 (Dubai)
March 5: Semi-final 2 – A2 v B1 (Lahore)
Final – March 9: Final (Lahore or Dubai)
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