2025 ICC The Champions Cup will start today (19th). This year's Champions Cup, which is being hosted by Pakistan, is scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai.Accordingly, starting the series, Pakistan and New Zealand will play in the first match at the Karachi Stadium in Pakistan. Before this match, an opening ceremony of the tournament has also been organized at the Karachi Stadium.In the first match, which will be a day-night match, Mohammad Rizwan will lead the Pakistan team and Mitchell Santer will lead the New Zealand team. New Zealand team's experienced fast bowler Lockie Fergusson has been withdrawn from this tournament due to an injury.Instead, fast bowler Kyle Jameson has been included in the New Zealand squad. New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has also missed the Champions Trophy due to an injury.
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa have qualified for this tournament. However, it was notable that Sri Lanka and West Indies did not qualify for this tournament.It is also special that this is the first time that Sri Lanka is not playing in a Champions Cup tournament.
However, a major international tournament organized by the International Cricket Council is being hosted by Pakistan after 29 years.
Accordingly, this is the main cricket tournament conducted by the ICC after the 1996 One Day Cricket World Cup held in Pakistan. As the Indian team refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, it was decided to hold the matches played by India in Dubai.Accordingly, the second match of the tournament will be played between India and Bangladesh in Dubai. Accordingly, the three matches that India will play in the preliminary round of the tournament and the first semi-final match are scheduled to be held on March 4 in Dubai. The second semi-final will be held on March 5 at the Lahore Stadium in Pakistan.Although the final match of the tournament is planned to be held on March 9, no decision has been taken about the stadium where it will be held. Accordingly, if India qualifies for the final match, the final match of the tournament will be held in Dubai and if India does not qualify, the final match will be held in Lahore, Pakistan.
Commenting on the tournament yesterday (17th), the Pakistan Cricket Chairman said that the security of the players and spectators has been confirmed in the tournament.However, the absence of the Indian flag among the flags of the countries playing in the tournament in a video showing the Karachi Stadium, where the opening ceremony of the tournament is held, has led to protests by Indians.
However, the absence of the Indian flag among the flags of the countries playing in the tournament in a video showing the Karachi Stadium, where the opening ceremony of the tournament is held, has led to protests by Indians.
