Semifinals Set as India Faces Australia, South Africa Takes on New Zealand
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan with select matches at a neutral venue in the UAE, has reached a thrilling crescendo as the semifinal lineup is confirmed. Running from February 19 to March 9, 2025, this ninth edition of the tournament features the top eight teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup, delivering high-stakes cricket across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.
The group stage has already produced stunning moments. In Group B, Afghanistan marked their debut in the Champions Trophy with a dramatic 8-run upset over England in Lahore on February 26, eliminating the defending finalists from semifinal contention. Group A saw Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh battling fiercely, with posts on X noting New Zealand’s spinners dominating a key chase—a phase where India traditionally excels—per Gulf News updates. Weather in Rawalpindi threatened to reduce overs in the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh clash, adding drama to the standings, but the dust has now settled.
The semifinal matchups are set to ignite global excitement: India will face off against Australia, while South Africa will take on New Zealand. Group A qualifiers India and New Zealand emerged from a competitive pool including Pakistan and Bangladesh, while Australia and South Africa advanced from Group B alongside Afghanistan and England. These blockbuster clashes promise a showdown of cricketing titans, with India’s Dubai-based matches ensuring neutrality under the hybrid hosting model agreed upon by the ICC, BCCI, and PCB.
This marks Pakistan’s first global ICC tournament in nearly 29 years, since the 1996 Cricket World Cup co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. The opening ceremony on February 19 at Karachi’s National Stadium, featuring an aerobatic display by the Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdils Squadron and attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, set the tone for a historic event. Fifteen matches across three Pakistani cities and Dubai will culminate in the final on March 9, with a $6.9 million prize pool—up 53% from the last edition—awaiting the champions.
With India vs. Australia and South Africa vs. New Zealand on the horizon, the semifinals will test strategy, skill, and nerve. Fans eagerly await these epic battles, leading to the ultimate showdown for the coveted white jackets on March 9. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continues to showcase the world’s best ODI talent, with debutants Afghanistan proving their mettle and traditional powerhouses vying for glory