The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy is back after an eight-year hiatus.
The elite one-day international (ODI) tournament’s last winners, Pakistan, are playing host to their first ICC event since the 50-over World Cup in 1996.
The world’s top eight men’s teams will compete in the 19-day tournament (February 19 until March 9), which will also see archrivals Pakistan and India face-off in the group stage.
Here’s a lowdown on how the tournament will be played and the full match schedule:
Which teams are playing in the ICC Champions Trophy?
Group A: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand
Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa
What’s the format of the Champions Trophy?
The tournament will be played in a simple round-robin format in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semifinals.
Each team will receive two points for a win, one for a “no result” or tie and none for a loss. In case of tied points, the semifinalists will be determined on net run rate.
What are the Champions Trophy venues?
Pakistan will host nine of the 15 games at home, while all of India’s fixtures will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the Indian government’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan.
Should India qualify for the knockouts, they will play the first semifinal, which will be held in Dubai. And if India make it through to the final, the all-important game will be moved from Lahore to Dubai.
The three Pakistan venues to be used during the tournament are the National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
What’s the full match schedule of the Champions Trophy?
February 19, Wednesday
Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
February 20, Thursday
Bangladesh vs India, 1pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
February 21, Friday
Afghanistan vs South Africa, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
February 22, Saturday
Australia vs England, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
February 23, Sunday
Pakistan vs India, 1pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
February 24, Monday
Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 25, Tuesday
Australia vs South Africa, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 26, Wednesday
Afghanistan vs England, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
February 27, Thursday
Pakistan vs Bangladesh, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 28, Friday
Afghanistan vs Australia, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
March 1, Saturday
England vs South Africa, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) [- National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
March 2, Sunday
New Zealand vs India, 1pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
March 4, Tuesday
First semifinal, 1pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
March 5, Wednesday
Second semifinal, 2pm local time (09:00 GMT) – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
March 9, Sunday
Final, 09:00 GMT – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan or Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE (if India qualifies).