India To Face Bangladesh On Feb 20 As ICC Approves Pakistan-Proposed Champions Trophy Schedule

India will face Pakistan on March 1 [X]

As per emerging reports, Pakistan will kickstart their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a high-voltage clash against New Zealand on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi. 

The Men in Green will take on Bangladesh five days later, on February 24 in Rawalpindi before shifting their base to Lahore for the most significant encounter against arch-rivals India on March 1. 

According to a report from The Telegraph, the tournament, slated to be conducted between February 19 and March 9, will have the semifinals scheduled on consecutive days, March 5 and 6, in Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively. 

The report also states that India will lock horns with Bangladesh in their tournament opener before facing New Zealand and Pakistan on February 23 and March 1, respectively. 

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Champions Trophy 2025 Groups

As mentioned in the above table, India are in Group A alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. Meanwhile, the giant killers Afghanistan find themselves in Group B alongside England, Australia and South Africa. 

Check tentative Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

The all-important final will be played three days later, on March 9, at Lahore's iconic Gaddafi Stadium. March 10 is kept as the reserved day and will be used if the final gets postponed due to unavoidable reasons. 

Meanwhile, the BCCI awaits the Indian government's approval for the men's team's participation in the marquee events. 

Notably, India cut short their bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan in 2013 owing to persistent geopolitical tensions between the two countries. 

So, if the Men in Blue don't travel to Pakistan, the PCB might adopt a hybrid model to host the tournament. 

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