The ninth edition of the coveted ICC Champions Trophy is set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with Pakistan and the UAE as the host countries. The tournament will feature the top eight teams that qualified from the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Pakistan, the defending champions, will aim to retain their title.
Having said that, the countdown for cricket’s El-Classico, the India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has begun, with the two arch-rivals set to square off on February 23 in Dubai. It might be just another match on paper but the players in both teams know the emotions that run through their veins in this match, the importance it holds for billions of fans on both ends of the border.
While India won the Champions Trophy twice in 2002 and 2013, Pakistan’s only title came in 2017. Moreover, the trash talks to the politics and everything make the already high-octane encounter even more significant with each team fighting for pride and prestige.
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This article is a one-stop-shop for everything related to this father of all rivalries India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 match.
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025: The El Classico of Cricket
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, has been marred by controversy, particularly between India and Pakistan. Read ahead in detail about all India vs Pakistan controversy ahead of Champions Trophy 2025.
India's Refusal to Play in Pakistan
Citing security concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. This decision led to the adoption of a hybrid model, with India’s matches relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed dissatisfaction with this arrangement, viewing it as a partial diplomatic success but also a setback to their efforts in showcasing Pakistan as a safe venue for international cricket.
Jersey Inscription Dispute
Further escalating tensions, reports emerged that the BCCI objected to having “Pakistan” printed on the Indian team’s jerseys, as per tournament regulations. The PCB accused the BCCI of politicizing cricket, arguing that such actions undermine the spirit of the sport and the tournament’s integrity.
Impact on Tournament Dynamics
These controversies have cast a shadow over the Champions Trophy, affecting scheduling, logistics, and the overall atmosphere of the event. The relocation of India’s matches to Dubai has posed challenges for organizers and fans, while the jersey dispute has strained relations between the two cricket boards. Despite these issues, the tournament aims to proceed, with hopes that cricketing excellence will eventually overshadow the off-field disputes.
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy Squads:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Notably, premier India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury. Harshit Rana has been named as Bumrah’s replacement. Additionally, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been included in the India squad, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal
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Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
On the other hand, Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025 after being prescribed a rehabilitation period of at least 10 weeks to recover from an ankle injury. Khushdil Shah has been included in the Pakistan squad in place of Saim for the Champions Trophy.
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy: Head-To-Head
Although the India vs Pakistan rivalry goes back to several decades, both teams met each other only five times at the ICC Champions Trophy. Interestingly, Pakistan hold a slight 3-2 edge over India in the Champions Trophy.
Notably, Pakistan is hosting an ICC event for the first time in 30 years, thus marking the return of the competition after a hiatus of eight years.
IND vs PAK CT clash
India vs Pakistan, 2004
India’s first meeting with Pakistan came in the 2004 edition of the Champions Trophy in Birmingham. Despite strong performances by Rahul Dravid (67 runs) and Ajit Agarkar (67 runs), and Irfan Pathan (3 wickets) Pakistan won thanks to Inzaman-ul-Haq (41) and Mohammad Yousuf (81 not out).
India vs Pakistan, 2009
Shoaib Malik headlined Pakistan’s win over India during their second meeting at the Champions Trophy in Centurion. Batting first, Pakistan rode on Shoaib Malik’s 128 and Mohammed Yusuf’s 87 to put 302/9 in 50 overs. For India, Ashish Nehra took four wickets. In response, India fell short by 54 runs despite half centuries from Gautam Gambhir (57) and Rahul Dravid (76) and a 46 from Suresh Raina.
India vs Pakistan, 2013
Down by 0-2 in head-to-head record, it was India’s time to reduce the deficit in Birmingham in 2013. Led by captain MS Dhoni, the Indian bowlers did a splendid job in restricting Pakistan to 165 in 39.2 overs. With rain playing spoilsport, India were set a revised target of 102 runs in 22 overs. Shikhar Dhawan led the chase with a knock of 48 runs while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten at 22, as India won the game by eight wickets. Eventually, India went on to win the title, beating England.
India vs Pakistan, 2017
India made it 2-2 four years later, once again in the United Kingdom. Batting first, India were off to a flier with Rohit Sharma (91) and Shikhar Dhawan (68), setting the platform with a 136-run stand for the opening wicket. Virat Kohli’s 81 not out and Yuvraj Singh’s 32-ball 53 took the Men in Blue to 319/3 in 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan were all out for 164 in 33.4 overs.
India vs Pakistan, 2017 - Final
Making their second consecutive final, India were clear favourites against Pakistan in the summit clash at The Oval. But the Virat Kohli-led India went on backfoot with some magnificent hitting from centurion Fakhar Zaman (114) and Azhar Ali’s 59 as Pakistan posted 338/4 in 50 overs. In reply, the scoreboard pressure took a heavy toll on the Indian batters as they fell like nine pins save Hardik Pandya whose 76 proved little for the Indian team. India were eventually all out for 158 in 30.3 overs.
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025: A Fight for Pride
Hence, Pakistan has a bite in the 2017 Champions Trophy final defeat. Rohit Sharma-led India will look to take their revenge with full interest.
Making the clash a must-see for all cricket enthusiasts because of the intensity, the competition, and the sheer quality of the skill on display. In this highly anticipated battle, the team with the greatest ability to manage the pressure, execute their plan, and exploit their advantages will prevail.