PCB awaits final approval for 2025 ICC Champions Trophy schedule

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is eagerly awaiting the final approval of the schedule for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from February to March.

In recent discussions with ICC officials, the PCB emphasized the need for timely schedule finalization to facilitate smooth logistical planning.

According to sources within the cricket board, provisional bookings have already been made based on the proposed schedule. The PCB plans to confirm these arrangements once the official schedule is announced, which is expected by the end of October.

There is also a possibility that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and newly appointed ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who is also the BCCI Secretary, may meet next month during the 2024 Women's World Cup final to discuss further details.

The proposed schedule places Pakistan in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B consists of England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan. The BCCI is currently awaiting consultations with the Indian government before confirming their participation in matches hosted in Pakistan.

The tournament is set to be held from February 19 to March 9, with a reserve day on March 10. Matches will be played across Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

Lahore will host seven matches, including the final, while Karachi’s National Stadium will stage the opening match and one semi-final. Rawalpindi is set to host five matches, including the other semi-final.

The semi-finals are scheduled for March 5 and 6, with the final taking place in Lahore on March 9.