The Indian cricket team has finalized its schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The squad will depart for Dubai on February 15 but will not participate in any warm-up matches before the tournament. India will play its first match against Bangladesh on February 20, while the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
The Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan, will kick off on February 19 at National Stadium Karachi, where Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match. The tournament features top teams, including Pakistan, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.
Due to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, all of India’s matches—except the highly awaited Pakistan-India fixtures—will be held in the UAE.
Pakistan a Dangerous Team in Champions Trophy: Ravi Shastri
Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri has described Pakistan as a dangerous side, especially in home conditions. Speaking on the ICC Review alongside former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Shastri acknowledged Pakistan’s strong performances over the past 6-8 months, particularly in South Africa.
He also pointed out that Pakistan missed the presence of top-order batter Saim Ayub, calling him an important player. Shastri believes that Pakistan should qualify for the semi-finals, where anything can happen. He further warned that if Pakistan reaches the knockout stage, they could become an even bigger threat to their opponents.
Ricky Ponting Praises Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
Echoing Shastri’s views, Ricky Ponting praised Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, for their recent exceptional performances. He emphasized that both pacers have the ability to trouble any batting lineup.
Ponting also noted the ups and downs in Babar Azam’s batting form in recent years but maintained that if Babar and Mohammad Rizwan perform well, Pakistan will be a formidable force in the tournament.
He further highlighted that playing on home soil provides a major boost to the team due to passionate crowd support, which can motivate players to deliver match-winning performances. Ponting believes that Pakistan possesses several quality players capable of defeating any team on their day.
