The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off with President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari attending the opening match at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium. The tournament marks the return of the prestigious event to Pakistan for the first time since its inception. Pakistan, the host nation, won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand, hoping to exploit the favorable conditions.
This year’s competition sees eight teams battling it out across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as Dubai, UAE, from February 19 to March 9. The tournament holds great significance for Pakistan, as it’s the first time the country is hosting an ICC event since the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup. The country’s cricket infrastructure has been upgraded, with extensive renovations at Gaddafi Stadium, National Stadium, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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Pakistan’s group-stage matches include a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India on 23 February in Dubai, followed by a game against Bangladesh on 27 February in Rawalpindi. Group A includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and New Zealand, while Group B features Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa. The semi-finals will take place in Dubai and Lahore, with the final planned for Dubai unless India does not qualify, in which case it will be hosted in Lahore.
In preparation for the tournament, over 12,000 police officers have been deployed across Lahore and Rawalpindi for security duties. The security arrangements include a mix of senior officers, inspectors, and female personnel to ensure the safety of players and spectators during the high-profile event.
