England to begin Champions Trophy campaign with mouth-watering clash against rivals Australia - as full fixtures for the Pakistan tournament are released
England to begin Champions Trophy campaign with mouth-watering clash against rivals Australia - as full fixtures for the Pakistan tournament are released
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England will begin their quest to win a maiden Champions Trophy next year with a showdown against Ashes rivals Australia in Lahore on February 22. Jos Buttler's team then take on Afghanistan at the same venue four days later before completing their Group A fixtures in Karachi, where South Africa will be their opponents, on March 1.
![[They face a showdown against Ashes rivals Australia in Lahore on February 22]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/15/93459691-14224635-image-a-44_1735055672353.jpg)
Publishing the full fixture list on Christmas Eve, the ICC confirmed that although the tournament is being held in Pakistan, all India's fixtures will be played in Dubai including the final on March 9 should they reach it. It also means that defending champions Pakistan will take on their Asian neighbours in the Emirate, the day after the England-Australia clash.
![[All India's fixtures will be played in Dubai including the final on March 9 should they reach it]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/24/15/93459705-14224635-image-a-45_1735055686199.jpg)
Lahore's Gadaffi Stadium is slated to host the final on March 9, unless Rohit Sharma's India team qualifies. England will begin their quest to win a maiden Champions Trophy next year with a huge tie. They face a showdown against Ashes rivals Australia in Lahore on February 22.
All India's fixtures will be played in Dubai including the final on March 9 should they reach it. The hybrid nature of the tournament came about after India refused to travel to Pakistan because of ongoing political tension between the two countries. In a statement that did not address the issue directly, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said: 'We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport.
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