Pakistan's Tayyab Tahir plays a reverse scoop during the third International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. (AP )

ISLAMABAD, Dec 24, (AP): Pakistan will take on arch-rival India in the marquee group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai on Feb. 23 after the ICC finally announced the schedule for the cricket showpiece event on Tuesday.

India has refused to travel to Pakistan over security concerns and that forced the ICC to delay its announcement for more than a month.

Pakistan is to host a minimum of 10 games in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore. India is to play its three Group A matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai. If India qualifies for the semifinals and the final, those games will also be staged in Dubai.

"The ICC is delighted to release the schedule … marking the tournament’s much-anticipated first return since 2017,” ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement. "The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.

"This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity.”

Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa will play all their Group B games in Pakistan.

Defending champion Pakistan is hosting its first global cricket event since 1996.

After long deliberations between the ICC Board members, the game’s governing body has also agreed that Pakistan will not play in India in the 2024-27 cycle.

It is a tit-for-tat response to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

That means Pakistan will go to a neutral venue when India hosts the 2025 women’s World Cup and co-hosts the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka. As compensation for not hosting India at the Champions Trophy, the ICC awarded the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup to Pakistan.

"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,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.

"Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.”

Naqvi said that hosting the Champions Trophy "is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organizer. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials and fans alike.”

The tournament begins in Karachi on Feb. 19 when Pakistan takes on New Zealand.