India will launch its ICC Champions Trophy title defence against traditional rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 4.

The 18-day tournament, from June 1 to 18, will also see matches played at the Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff and The Oval in London.

A couple of days before the two Asian powerhouses go head to head, Australia and New Zealand will lock horns in a repeat of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final at Edgbaston.

Hosts and two-time finalist England will take on Bangladesh in the tournament opener at The Oval, which will also be the venue for a battle between former champions Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3.

The top eight sides on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings on September 30, 2015 have qualified for the tournament, with World champion Australia seeded number-one.

Australia head Group A, which also includes fourth seeds New Zealand, sixth seeds England and seventh seeds Bangladesh, who will be returning to the competition for the first time since 2006.

Defending champions India is seeded second and leads Group B, which also comprises third seed South Africa, fifth seed Sri Lanka and eighth seed Pakistan.

The top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals, which will be played at Cardiff and Edgbaston on June 14 and 15 respectively, with The Oval hosting the final.

Check out the full schedule:

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