Dubai, February 5, 2025: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match officials for the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with Pakistan as the host nation.
The umpiring panel for the tournament consists of 12 umpires, including Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza, who will officiate across the 15 matches featuring the world’s top eight teams. Veteran umpire Richard Kettleborough, who officiated the final of the previous Champions Trophy in 2017, is among six officials returning for the 2025 edition. Other returning umpires from the 2017 edition include Chris Gaffaney, Kumar Dharmasena, Richard Illingworth, Paul Reiffel, and Rod Tucker, all of whom are part of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. Meanwhile, the match referee panel comprises David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, and Andrew Pycroft.
The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia. Matches will be played across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as in Dubai.
Hosts Pakistan will kick off the tournament against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai. Pakistan will host a total of 10 matches, while four games, including all three of India’s group-stage fixtures and the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai. The final is scheduled to be held in Lahore; however, if India qualifies, the match will also be played in Dubai.
A reserve day has been allocated for the final to account for any weather-related disruptions. With elite match officials and the world’s top teams competing, the Champions Trophy 2025 promises high-intensity cricket and thrilling encounters on the global stage.
