Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has named Pakistan as the favorite to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, highlighting the significant advantage of playing on home turf. The prestigious tournament, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE.
Gavaskar, during an interview, pointed out that the home advantage will be crucial for Pakistan's chances. He emphasized the challenge of defeating a team on their home ground, stating that the host nation should always be considered the favorite.
"The tag of favorites should be given to the home team, Pakistan, as it’s not easy to beat any team in their home conditions," Gavaskar noted.
"India lost in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, but before that, they put up clinical performances and won ten matches on the trot," he added.
The tournament will take place across three venues – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, and Dubai. The competition will feature 15 matches, with eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
The opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on February 19 in Karachi, while the much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
As of now, all participating teams, except for Pakistan, have announced their squads for the event, with India becoming the latest to do so.
Champions Trophy Schedule:
- 19 February, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
- 20 February, Bangladesh v India, Dubai
- 21 February, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
- 22 February, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan
- 23 February, Pakistan v India, Dubai
- 24 February, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- 25 February, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- 26 February, Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan
- 27 February, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- 28 February, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
- 1 March, South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan
- 2 March, New Zealand v India, Dubai
- 4 March, Semi-final 1, Dubai
- 5 March, Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
- 9 March, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)
- 10 March, Reserve day
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