Source Credit: AL JAZEERA
DUBAI, UAE: The air is thick with anticipation as Pakistan and India prepare to clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The fixture, set at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, has already brought life to a standstill in both nations. Streets are expected to be deserted, televisions and mobile screens will be glued to the action, and fans will be locked in heated debates before the first ball is even bowled.
When: February 23, Sunday
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Time: The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm IST while the toss will take place at 2 pm.
The tournament itself, once known as the ICC Knockout Trophy, was designed as an elite contest between cricket’s strongest teams. Unlike the World Cup, where teams qualify through rankings and regional competitions, the Champions Trophy features only the top eight finishers from the previous ODI World Cup. This year's event, hosted by Pakistan for the first time in nearly three decades, was met with political tensions as India refused to travel to its neighbor. As a compromise, India's matches are being played in the UAE.
Billboards in Lahore and Karachi feature captains Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Rizwan staring each other down, fueling excitement for the high-stakes match. The build-up has been electric, with social media flooded with predictions, analysis, and nostalgia from past encounters. Special prayers have been arranged across both countries, and viewing parties are set in homes, restaurants, and even cinemas.
Both teams enter the game under immense pressure. For Pakistan, it’s a chance to prove their dominance on a global stage, while for India, it’s an opportunity to maintain their supremacy in ICC tournaments. With the game just hours away, all eyes remain fixed on Dubai, waiting for history to unfold.
