The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is gearing up for its much-anticipated semi-finals after weeks of exciting cricket. Following two impressive victories, the Indian cricket team has confirmed its place alongside New Zealand for the next round. Currently positioned second on the points table, India will finalize its standing after its last Group A clash against New Zealand on March 2, 2025.
From Group B, Australia and South Africa have also made their way to the semi-finals. Both teams faced unique challenges, including weather disruptions leading to washed-out matches, complicatications but have managed to advance past competitors England and Afghanistan, who were knocked out of the tournament.
South Africa secured their semi-final spot emphatically during their last group match against England. They first bowled out the English team for 179 runs and comfortably chased down the target, finishing with seven wickets and 125 balls to spare. This performance solidified their dominance and assured them the top position on the Group B points table.
The semi-finals are scheduled as follows:
While the schedule looks straightforward, recent developments have created significant logistical challenges for South Africa and Australia. Both teams must travel to Dubai regardless of their exact match location. ICC officials stated, "The decision was made to maximize the preparation time for the team playing in Dubai on March 4." This, unfortunately, complicates matters because one team will end up traveling from Pakistan to Dubai, only to return the next day if their semi-final is set for Lahore.
This convoluted travel arrangement means Australia, having qualified after their match against Afghanistan was washed out, will be en route to Dubai after departing from Lahore. South Africa, after their match against England, will also travel to Dubai on March 1 and may face the redundancy of returning to Pakistan shortly after.
Notably, this unique situation arises due to India’s controversial decision to play all their matches at home (in Dubai), leading to the tournament adopting a hybrid model. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) played a pivotal role by negotiating with the ICC for India to play their group matches closer to home citing security concerns and political tension between the neighboring countries. A PCB representative noted, "India is set to play all their games in Lahore owing to its proximity with the Indian border". If India progresses to the finals, the match will be held in Dubai; conversely, if they do not make the cut, the finals will be at Gaddafi Stadium.
While the intricacies of scheduling may be complicated, the excitement surrounding the matches remains palpable. Fans around the world can catch the semi-finals live on the Star Sports Network, with streaming access also available on the JioHotstar app and its website.
According to reports, the tournament rules mandate every team from each group will face off against their corresponding opponents, leading to exciting matchups. The semi-finals promise drama and high-stakes cricket. The anticipation surrounding the encounters is building as players and fans alike prepare for the next pivotal chapters of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Get ready to witness phenomenal action as two of the best teams compete for their spot in the finals!