ICC Champions Trophy Returns After 8-Year Hiatus, Hosted in Pakistan and UAE

The 2025 edition marks Pakistan's first global cricket tournament since 1996, with India playing in Dubai due to security concerns.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins on February 19 and features eight top-ranked ODI teams in a condensed 15-match format.
Pakistan, the defending champions, will host the tournament across Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, while India’s matches will be played in Dubai due to government restrictions on travel to Pakistan.
The tournament format includes two groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals and a final scheduled for March 9.
India enters as one of the favorites, led by experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but faces challenges with injuries to star bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Key political and logistical challenges include Afghanistan's participation raising human rights concerns and the uncertainty of the final venue, which depends on India’s qualification.