PCB announces ODI Tri-Series against New Zealand, South Africa and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 details

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the historic ODI Tri-Series against New Zealand and South Africa ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

The PCB made this announcement on Friday, June 4, while unveiling home and away fixtures for the 2024–25 season.

In an official statement, the PCB confirmed that the Pakistan Cricket Team will be “participating in the first ODI tri-series in 21 years in the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on home turf.”

PCB announces historic ODI Tri-Series with New Zealand and South Africa ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The upcoming historic ODI Tri-Series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, will be played from February 8–14, with Multan International Cricket Stadium in Multan hosting all matches of the much-awaited series. Each participating team will play one match against each other during the ODI Tri-Series.

Meanwhile, the PCB also announced that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan between February 19 and March 9. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will announce the full schedule of the upcoming mega-ICC event in Pakistan within a week.

Furthermore, the PCB confirmed that Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa will participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set to get underway on February 19 in Pakistan

The Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on February 19, and the final will be played on March 9. However, the PCB didn’t reveal much detail, with the ICC announcing further details of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in due course.

Well, there are high chances of BCCI demanding neutral venues for their matches in the mega event, given their reluctance to visit Pakistan due to political tensions between the two Asian countries.

The PCB stated: “Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium is currently undergoing redesign and redevelopment work as part of preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but is expected to be ready to stage most of the high-profile matches from February 19 to March 9.”

Schedule for Pakistan's ODI Tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa:

8 February; First ODI – Pakistan vs New Zealand at Multan International Cricket Stadium, Multan

10 February; Second ODI – New Zealand vs South Africa at Multan International Cricket Stadium, Multan

12 February; Third ODI – Pakistan vs South Africa at Multan International Cricket Stadium, Multan

14 February – Final at Multan International Cricket Stadium, Multan

BCCI yet to confirm India's visit to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah recently said that India’s next target is to win the World Test Championship and Champions Trophy in 2025 after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024.

Even Shah confirmed that senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma will play in the ICC Champions Trophy 2024, but didn’t reveal whether the BCCI will send their team to Pakistan for the mega event.

Like the Asia Cup 2023, BCCI is likely to demand neutral venues for India’s matches in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy. However, it remains to be seen how things unfold, and it will be clear once the ICC announces the schedule for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024.