Champions Trophy schedule: India, Pakistan in same group; to clash on Feb 23 in Dubai

DUBAI: India will play all its matches of the Champions Trophy in Dubai with the marquee clash against arch-rival Pakistan scheduled on February 23, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday.

India will play all its matches in Dubai including the semifinal and final if it qualifies.

As has been the case with ICC events, India and Pakistan have been clubbed in the same group which also has New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Group B comprises South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England.

The tournament opener will be played in Karachi on February 19 when hosts Pakistan face New Zealand and the final is scheduled for March 9. The premier 50-over event, last played in 2017, will have 15 matches with at least 10 games scheduled in Pakistan.

Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three hosting venues in Pakistan with the second semifinal to be staged at the refurbished Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

“Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualifies, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days,” said the ICC.

India will open its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before taking on Pakistan three days later. Its final league fixture will be against New Zealand on March 2.

Group B action begins on February 21 when Afghanistan squares up against South Africa in Karachi.

A big weekend then kicks off with rivals England and Australia clashing in Lahore on February 22.

The eight sides in the Champions Trophy are the teams that finished in the top eight in the points table at ODI World Cup in India last year.