Pakistan will take on arch-rival India in the marquee group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai on Feb. 23 after the ICC finally announced the schedule for the tournament.

England are Australia's first Champions Trophy opponents in Pakistan in February but Pat Cummins' team could end up playing the final in Dubai.

The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and Dubai, after hosts Pakistan selected the UAE as a neutral venue for their rivals India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday. Holders Pakistan will host an ICC event for the first time in 28 years.

The Men in Blue have not played a single match in Pakistan since 2006, owing to political tensions between the nations

Due to strained political ties, India hasn't toured Pakistan since 2008, and the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), citing government advice, has refused to send its team to the Champions Trophy.

The wait for the official fixtures of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy finally ended on Tuesday – with the marquee India versus Pakistan group league match scheduled in Dubai on Sunday, 23 February 2025. All three India’s group league matches will be held in Dubai as per the hybrid model agreed upon along with the first semi-final.

The tournament is set to begin on 19 February in Karachi and will run until 9 March. Bangladesh, placed in Group A, will kick off their campaign on 20 February against arch-rival India in Dubai.

India to play all Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, including marquee clash against Pakistan on February 23, 2025.

Pakistan will face New Zealand in Karachi in the opening match on Feb 19; India will play all their matches in Dubai

Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will be the three cities that will be holding the matches in Pakistan and Dubai will be have the matches in the UAE.