CHAMPIONS TROPHY, 2025
The last edition of the Champions Trophy was held in 2017 in England, with Pakistan winning the title by beating India © Getty
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to make an official statement but is preparing for all eventualities in case the Indian team refuses to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year. Cricbuzz has learnt from reliable sources that the ICC recently approved a budget of around $65 million at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo. This budget includes the costs associated with hosting a few matches outside Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy, as reported by Cricbuzz on July 10, is scheduled to take place between February 19 and March 9. Cricbuzz understands that the issue of the million-dollar prize of India’s participation or not has not been discussed at the various forums of the ICC General Assembly, but a contingency has been provided, just in case.
The approval note from the Committee of Managing Directors (CMC) states that “the PCB has signed the hosting agreement and has worked with the management to develop an event budget which is submitted to the F&CA for approval. The management has also approved an estimate of the increased cost of hosting the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan.” The ICC, however, has not discussed what the venue(s) “outside Pakistan” will be.
The CEC note also states: “A planning meeting and inspection of the proposed match venues was held in Pakistan in March 2024. Major renovation works are underway at all three venues to upgrade the facilities.” Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are the venues shortlisted and it is learnt that the PCB has undertaken renovation works at all three venues.
As for the budget, it appears that approximately $35 million has been allocated for the competition itself, with an additional $20 million earmarked for participation and prize money. An additional $10 million has been approved for production costs related to the televised broadcast of the 15-game, 20-day tournament.
As reported earlier by Cricbuzz, the budget estimate was arrived at after Ankur Khanna, the ICC’s chief financial officer (CFO), spent three days in Lahore in June to work on the matter with Javed Murtuza, the PCB’s chief financial officer.
Meanwhile, the ICC has reportedly shared a draft schedule with stakeholders including broadcasters and all participating teams. The draft schedule is largely as expected. All of India’s matches are scheduled to be played in Lahore, with the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match scheduled for Saturday, March 1. Apart from India and Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand are in Group A. Group B comprises Australia, England, Afghanistan and South Africa.
India’s other matches are scheduled for February 20 against Bangladesh and February 23 against New Zealand. The competition will begin on February 19 in Karachi with the match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The two semi-finals will be played on March 5 in Karachi and March 6 in Pindi, with the final on March 9 in Lahore. However, the venues are subject to change depending on the decision of the Indian team and the Indian government. An ICC team will visit Pakistan next month to inspect all three venues.
A seven-day period from February 12 to 18 has been designated as the ‘support period’. During this period, participating teams will play warm-up matches and engage in media and promotional activities in accordance with established protocols. March 10 is the reserve day for the final. The Champions Trophy was last played in 2017 and was won by Pakistan.
DRAFT CALENDAR
Wednesday 19 February Match 1 NZ v PAK
Thursday 20 February Match 2 BAN v IND
Friday 21 February Match 3 AFG v SA
Saturday February 4, match 4 AUS vs ENG
Sunday 23 February Match 5 NZ v IND
Monday 24 February Match 6 PAK v BAN
Tuesday 25 February Match 7 AFG v ENG
Wednesday 26 February Match 8 AUS v SA
Thursday 27 February Match 9 BAN vs NZ
Friday 28th February Match 10 AFG v AUS
Saturday 1st March Match 11 PAK v IND
Sunday March 2nd Match 12 SA against ENG
Wednesday March 5 Semi-final 1 – A1 vs B2
Thursday March 6 Semi-final 2 – B1 vs A2
Sunday March 9, 2025 Final
Monday March 10, 2025 Reserve day
Tri-series in Multan
Before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will host a tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa between February 8 and 14. All the matches will be played in Multan.
Calendar of the three series
February 8 – Pakistan v New Zealand
February 10 – New Zealand v South Africa
February 12 – Pakistan v South Africa
February 14 – Final
© Cricbuzz
