- The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the return of the tournament after an eight-year break.
- Teams will compete in a round-robin format before advancing to the semi-finals.
- Key players like Mitchell Starc and Jasprit Bumrah are missing from the tournament due to injury.
- Matches will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, culminating in a thrilling final.
- Cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating this prestigious event.
The ICC Champions Trophy returns after an eight-year hiatus, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The competition will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, offering a captivating month of cricket. The tournament involves eight top teams from around the world. These include Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa. Matches will be held at multiple venues in Pakistan and the UAE, with the final being contested at either Dubai or Lahore.
- Tournament Dates: February 19 to March 9, 2025.
- Hosts: Pakistan and UAE.
- Teams: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa.
- Groupings:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh.
- Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa.
- Absentees: Injuries sidelining key players like Mitchell Starc and Jasprit Bumrah.
Key Fixtures:
- February 19: Pakistan vs. New Zealand – Karachi (09:00 GMT)
- February 20: Bangladesh vs. India – Dubai (09:00 GMT)
- February 23: Pakistan vs. India – Dubai (09:00 GMT)
- February 24: Bangladesh vs. New Zealand – Rawalpindi (09:00 GMT)
- February 27: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh – Rawalpindi (09:00 GMT)
- March 2: New Zealand vs. India – Dubai (09:00 GMT)
The group-stage matches will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing three matches. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
Key Injuries and Squad Updates
Several star players have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries, which have reshuffled some squad selections:
- Australia:
- Mitchell Starc opted out on February 12 for personal reasons.
- Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood are unavailable due to injuries.
- Marcus Stoinis has retired from ODI cricket.
- India:
- Jasprit Bumrah has been replaced by Harshit Rana due to a back injury.
- South Africa:
- Anrich Nortje is injured, and Corbin Bosch has replaced him.
Squads Breakdown
Here’s a quick overview of the teams participating in the ICC Champions Trophy:
- Pakistan:
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Key Players: Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
- India:
- Captain: Rohit Sharma
- Key Players: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya
- Australia:
- Captain: Steve Smith
- Key Players: Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Travis Head
- Bangladesh:
- Captain: Nazmul Hossain Shanto
- Key Players: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman
- England:
- Captain: Jos Buttler
- Key Players: Jofra Archer, Joe Root, Ben Duckett
- New Zealand:
- Captain: Mitchell Santner
- Key Players: Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Matt Henry
- South Africa:
- Captain: Temba Bavuma
- Key Players: Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, David Miller
- Afghanistan:
- Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
- Key Players: Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran
Venue Details
The tournament will take place in the following venues:
- Pakistan:
- National Stadium, Karachi
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- UAE:
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Tournament Format
The competition will feature a round-robin group stage, followed by semi-finals and the final. The teams that finish at the top of their groups will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the final. Both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days to accommodate unforeseen delays or weather issues.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will undoubtedly be a major event in the cricketing world. With high-profile teams and star players set to compete, fans are in for an exciting month of cricket. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, the tournament remains poised to deliver memorable matches. Whether you’re in the stadium or watching from home, this promises to be a must-watch event.