Pakistan to host top ODI teams for tri-nation series ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 - Check dates and venue

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Pakistan will have a strong preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025 at home by hosting New Zealand and South Africa ahead of the ICC event scheduled to be held in February-March.

This will be the first series involving more than two teams in Pakistan since 2004 when Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka arrived together for a triangular series. South Africa's last triangular outing in Pakistan came back in 1994. In 1997, Pakistan hosted South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies for a Quadrangular series.

New Zealand have never been part of a tri-series in Pakistan. The second-string New Zealand squad visited Pakistan for a five-match T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

However, New Zealand and South Africa are expected to field their top players for the tri-series just ahead of the eight-team ICC Champions scheduled to be held in Pakistan. As per the draft schedule, the Champions Trophy will kick off on February 19 with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi.

The tri-series will also be a great opportunity for the Men in Green to do their final dress-rehearsal ahead of the mega event. Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-final of ODI World Cup 2023, and were knocked out from the group stage of T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

The side will look to overcome these glaring failures and shine at the big ICC event at home. Pakistan are hosting an ICC event for the first time after 1996.

Tri-nation series schedule in Pakistan

Each of the three teams will play two matches each. The top two teams will play in the final. All the matches will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.

Schedule of tri-nation series in Pakistan

• February 8 - Pakistan v New Zealand
• February 10 -- New Zealand v South Africa
• February 12 - Pakistan v South Africa
• February 14 - Final