by: TN Media News Pakistan: The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, taking place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, features eight of the world’s top-ranked men’s cricket teams: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. However, due to security concerns, India opted not to play in Pakistan, and all their group-stage matches have been held in Dubai.
Group Stage Highlights:
Group A: India advanced to the semi-finals with impressive victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan, both by six wickets.
New Zealand also made it through, remaining unbeaten after defeating Pakistan and Bangladesh in their group matches.
Group B: South Africa topped the group, winning both their matches against Afghanistan and England. England’s campaign came to a bitter end with a seven-wicket loss to South Africa, leaving them without a win in the group stage.
Semi-Final Scenarios: The semi-final venues remain uncertain due to India’s decision to play all their group matches in Dubai, leading to potential venue changes. The final group-stage match between India and New Zealand will determine the semi-final matchups. Australia and South Africa are also waiting for confirmation of their semi-final venues, which will be finalized after the last group game.
Upcoming Matches:
March 4: First Semi-Final (A1 vs. B2) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
March 5: Second Semi-Final (B1 vs. A2) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
March 9: Final at a venue to be confirmed.
Challenges and Weather Disruptions:
The tournament has faced weather-related disruptions, affecting the schedule. A notable instance was the abandonment of the Australia vs. South Africa match due to rain.
Prize Money:
The Champions Trophy 2025 offers a total prize pool of $6.9 million, with the winners set to receive $2.24 million.
Looking Ahead: With the semi-finals fast approaching, teams are fine-tuning their strategies to overcome previous challenges. New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips expressed confidence in adapting to the conditions in Dubai for their crucial match against India. While India is more familiar with the venue, Phillips emphasized New Zealand’s preparedness and focus on executing their game plan.
As the 2025 Champions Trophy heads toward its climax, the tournament continues to showcase thrilling cricket, with teams battling for the prestigious title in a highly competitive environment.
