Champions Trophy 2025: India to play their matches in UAE under 'Hybrid Model', confirms Pakistan

The ICC had brought a major dispute in international cricket to an end by confirming that the 2025 Champions Trophy that was supposed to be hosted entirely in Pakistan will indeed be taking place in a 'Hybrid Model'. And three days after that landmark announcement that finally allowed the ‘Mini World Cup’ to move ahead after months of uncertainty, the United Arab Emirates was chosen as the neutral venue for the tournament where former champions India will play all of their matches.

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According to ESPNCricinfo, the decision was finalised after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who had been opposed to the ‘Hybrid Model’ for the longest time, met senior UAE minister and head of Emirates Cricket Board Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak in Pakistan.

“The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir was quoted by the website as saying.

The announcement, however, does not confirm the venue that will be hosting India’s games in the tournament that will run from 19 February to 9 March, though the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is likely to be named the venue.

Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium was also in the fray to host India’s games under the ‘Hybrid Model’. Sri Lanka had previously hosted a majority of the matches including India’s games as well as the final in last year’s Asia Cup, which like the Champions Trophy was to be held entirely in Pakistan only to be conducted in a ‘Hybrid Model’ in the end.

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Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are placed in Group A and lock horns on 23 February. Bangladesh and New Zealand are the other teams in Group A and face India on 20 February and 2 March respectively. Pakistan, meanwhile, face New Zealand in the opening match of the event on 19 February, while their last league match against Bangladesh is on the 27th of that month.

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Group B comprises two-time champions Australia as well as England, South Africa and Afghanistan. Their matches will be played across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, the cities that were originally scheduled to host the entire tournament.

The two semi-finals are slotted for 4 and 5 March respectively, with the first one being held in the UAE if India make it to that stage. The final that is scheduled to take place on 9 March in Lahore will also be held in the UAE if the Men in Blue end up reaching the summit clash for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.