THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Dubai, Feb 14: The ICC Champions Trophy is set to make its return for the first time since 2017, with a significantly increased prize pool of USD 6.9 million—53 per cent higher than the previous edition.
The tournament winners, who will lift the coveted trophy on March 9, will also receive a grand prize of USD 2.24 million. Meanwhile, the runners-up will be awarded USD 1.12 million, and the two losing semi-finalists will each secure USD 560,000.
Every participating team is guaranteed a minimum payout of USD 125,000. A victory in any group stage match will add more than USD 34,000 to a team’s earnings. Teams finishing in fifth or sixth place will receive USD 350,000 each, while the seventh and eighth-placed teams will take home USD 140,000.
The ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February in Karachi, with the final scheduled for 9 March.
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The elite eight-team tournament, featuring 15 matches, will be hosted in a hybrid model across Pakistan and Dubai.
The tournament will begin with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.
India will play all its matches in Dubai, with their first Champions Trophy match scheduled for February 20 against Bangladesh.
India will face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, followed by their third group-stage match against New Zealand on March 2.
The eight teams participating in the tournament have been split into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England.
The tournament will be held at three venues in Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Each venue will host three group-stage matches, with Lahore designated to host the second semi-final.
The final, scheduled for March 9, will be held in Lahore unless India qualifies, in which case it will take place in Dubai. Both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
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Champions Trophy Schedule:
19 February, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
20 February, Bangladesh v India, Dubai
21 February, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
22 February, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan
23 February, Pakistan v India, Dubai
24 February, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
25 February, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
26 February, Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan
27 February, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
28 February, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
1 March, South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan
2 March, New Zealand v India, Dubai
4 March, Semi-final 1, Dubai
5 March, Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
9 March, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)
10 March, Reserve day
