The ICC Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan and Dubai from Feb 19 onwards.
The ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted by Pakistan and UAE and will begin on February 19. This tournament was last played in 2017 in England with Pakistan defeating India in the final to win the trophy for the first time.
In a fierce and all-out battle between the top eight teams, the much-awaited event will take place over 19 days, from February 19 to March 9. For the first round, the teams are divided into two groups. Each group plays three matches, and the top two teams advance to the semifinals.
India will play their matches in Dubai and is in Group A along with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. However, Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan are in Group B, and their matches will be held in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.
Ahead of the tournament, legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram featured in an ICC video that unveiled the iconic 'white jacket' and invited fans worldwide to be a part of the champions' journey as eight teams put it 'All On The Line'.
In the promo video, Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winner, explained the meaning of the white coats, stating that obtaining one represents the process of risking everything for triumph.
"The ICC Men's Champions Trophy represents the best of the best and the unveiling of the white jacket, which symbolizes greatness, will now build the excitement of the event across the global cricket community. Next month's Champions Trophy will see the strongest team win the tournament, as every game is a pressure game and there is no chance for any team to have a break," Akram said in an ICC release.
The ICC highlights the tournament's high stakes, as each game is important and teams vie for the coveted white jackets, which represent the pinnacle of excellence and tenacity, in addition to the Champions Trophy.
"Every match counts in the ICC's most high-stakes event format, where teams not only vie for the Champions Trophy but also the coveted white jackets - symbolizing the ultimate measure of greatness and determination," ICC said in a release.
The white jacket serves as a badge of honor worn by champions, embodying the relentless pursuit of tactical brilliance and a legacy that inspires generations.