The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the complete schedule for the Champions Trophy, which will take place in 2025. The announcement was made on Tuesday, December 24, detailing all participating teams and the venues for their matches. Pakistan will co-host the tournament with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a hybrid model agreed upon by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to facilitate India’s participation.

The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai. If India advances to the final, it will also be held in Dubai. The tournament will commence on February 19 with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, continuing until March 9. Both the semi-finals and the final will include reserve days.

The ICC has confirmed a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with matches set to occur in both Pakistan and the UAE. This setup follows an agreement between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Under this model, Pakistan will host a total of 10 matches, while India’s three league-stage matches, including the crucial encounter with Pakistan, will take place in Dubai. Additionally, one semi-final and the final will also be hosted in Dubai. Should India not reach the final, the championship match will occur in Lahore.

This arrangement aims to address logistical and geopolitical challenges while facilitating effective planning for these significant tournaments, with stakeholders providing favorable feedback.

Champions Trophy Groups— Group A: Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa

Champions Trophy 2025: Schedule

• February 19: Pakistan vs. New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi
• February 20: Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
• February 21: Afghanistan vs. South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
• February 22: Australia vs. England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• February 23: Pakistan vs. India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
• February 24: Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• February 25: Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• February 26: Afghanistan vs. England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• February 27: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• February 28: Afghanistan vs. Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• March 1: South Africa vs. England, National Stadium, Karachi
• March 2: New Zealand vs. India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
• March 4: Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai*
• March 5: Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• March 9: Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

All matches commence at 2:30 PM Indian Standard Time. The last Champions Trophy was held in 2017, where a remarkable performance by Mohammad Amir helped Pakistan secure victory against Virat Kohli’s India. Pakistan set a total of 338 runs due to Fakhar Zaman’s century, and Amir’s outstanding bowling led to India being bowled out for just 158 runs.

Pakistan enters this tournament with strong momentum. After a challenging period, the national team has found new direction under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, who has recently led the team to victories in overseas tours in Australia and South Africa in the 50-over format.

In the ongoing second ODI between India Women and West Indies Women at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, India have put up a solid performance, reaching 358/5 in 50 overs. Harleen Deol is in impressive form, standing strong at century, while Jemimah Rodrigues contributes with half century as they continue to build on their momentum after India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first after winning the toss.

India had earlier dominated the first match of the series with a commanding 211-run victory, marking their second-largest win in women’s ODIs. The West Indies team is looking to bounce back from that crushing defeat, which was their heaviest in terms of runs in ODI history.

India has remained unchanged from the first ODI, with Pratika Rawal, who was part of the record-setting 211-run win, getting another chance to impress at the top of the order. The West Indies, aiming to level the series, have handed a debut to Nerissa Crafton, the 26-year-old middle-order batter, in place of Shabika Gajnabi. Crafton’s inclusion also adds an additional bowling option for the visitors after they struggled to control the Indian batters in the previous match, conceding 160 runs off the last 20 overs.

India’s lineup includes Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Saima Thakor, Titas Sadhu, Priya Mishra, and Renuka Singh. The West Indies squad consists of Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Rashada Williams, Zaida James, Nerissa Crafton, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, and Karishma Ramharack.

The match is still in progress as India looks to build on their strong position.

Kylian Mbappé scored a brilliant goal and assisted another as Real Madrid triumphed 4-2 over Sevilla, moving up to second place in La Liga and narrowing the gap to Atlético Madrid to just one point ahead of the winter break.

The match began with a spectacular strike from Mbappé, who fired a thunderous shot from outside the box to give Madrid a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Just 10 minutes later, Federico Valverde doubled the advantage with a long-range effort. In the 34th minute, Rodrygo added a third, finishing off a cross from Lucas Vázquez. Sevilla pulled one back almost immediately as Isaac Romero headed home a cross in the 35th minute, but Brahim Díaz restored Madrid’s three-goal cushion in the 53rd minute after a clever assist from Mbappé and Vázquez.

Sevilla scored again in the 85th minute through Dodi Lukebakio, but Real Madrid held on for the win, which left them two points ahead of third-place Barcelona.

Mbappé, who had struggled to adapt to life at Madrid and had missed penalties in recent weeks, spoke of the importance of bouncing back from difficult moments. “I took a lot of positives from the Bilbao game. I hit rock bottom,” Mbappé said, reflecting on his penalty miss earlier this month. “I realised at that moment I have to give my all for this shirt and play with personality.”

Dortmund strikes three times to beat Wolfsburg in Bundesliga

In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund secured a 3-1 victory at Wolfsburg, thanks to three goals in five first-half minutes. Donyell Malen opened the scoring with a close-range volley in the 25th minute, followed by Maximilian Beier’s excellent finish just three minutes later. Julian Brandt, making his return from injury, added a third before halftime. Wolfsburg pulled one back in the 58th minute through Denis Vavro’s header, but Dortmund hung on to secure the three points, moving to 25 points and sitting in the final European spot. Wolfsburg remains in mid-table with 21 points.

Atalanta tops Serie A after De Ketelaere’s late goal

Atalanta regained the top spot in Serie A with a thrilling 3-2 win over Empoli. Charles De Ketelaere proved to be the hero, scoring the match-winning goal in the 86th minute. The Belgian weaved through defenders before calmly slotting home from the edge of the box. Empoli had taken the lead through Lorenzo Colombo’s early volley, but Atalanta responded with two goals before halftime: De Ketelaere’s diving header and Ademola Lookman’s calm finish. Empoli equalized early in the second half with a penalty from Sebastiano Esposito, but De Ketelaere’s late strike ensured Atalanta claimed all three points and moved to 40 points, two ahead of second-place Napoli.

Roma crush Parma in 5-0 victory

Paulo Dybala scored twice and set up another in Roma’s commanding 5-0 win over Parma. The Argentinian forward netted a penalty in the first half and pounced on a rebound early in the second to help Roma bounce back from recent setbacks. Roma’s dominant performance came after a difficult loss to promoted Como the previous week, as they secured their fifth league win of the season.

Juventus end winless streak with 2-1 victory at Monza

Juventus snapped a four-match winless run in Serie A with a 2-1 win at Monza. Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a volley from a corner, but Monza equalized through Samuele Birindelli’s volley eight minutes later. Nicolás González’s strike in the 39th minute restored Juve’s lead, and despite some late pressure from Monza, Juventus held on to claim all three points, moving to 31 points in sixth place.

As Europe’s top leagues head into the winter break, the race for the titles and European spots remains tightly contested, with thrilling matches expected in the new year.