Dubai (Web Desk): Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first against India in the second match of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025being played at Dubai International Cricket stadium on Thursday.
The eight-nation cricket event is scheduled to be held across three Pakistani cities—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—along with a stint in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The eight teams split into two competitive groups.
Group A boasts Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and New Zealand, while Group B sees the likes of Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.
The group stage will unfold across four iconic stadiums: Dubai, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, setting the stage for high-stakes encounters.
As the dust settles on the group phase, the semi-finals are set to captivate fans.
The first match will unfold on March 4 in the vibrant city of Dubai, while the second semi-final is lined up for March 5 at the historic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The final is the ultimate prize, but if India fails to make it, the grand finale will shift to Lahore.
Should India claim their place, the spotlight will shine on Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the much-anticipated showdown.
The tournament runs from February 19 to March 9, bringing top-tier international cricket to Pakistan after nearly three decades.
The last time Pakistan hosted an ICC event was in 1996 when it co-hosted the Cricket World Cup, which saw Sri Lanka defeating Australia in the final at Gaddafi Stadium.
Cricket fever is palpable across the nation, with fans eager to witness their team perform on home soil once again.
Teams
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
