After the thrilling T20 World Cup and the extraordinary race to the World Take a look at Championship ultimate, the cricketing world now shifts its focus to ODI cricket with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match, set to start on February 19 in Pakistan, marks the primary main ICC occasion within the nation because the 1996 ODI World Cup.
ODIs took a backseat in 2024 after the highs of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in India, however the Champions Trophy is about to reignite the format’s allure. This version is particularly vital because it marks the match’s return after an eight-year hiatus, with the final version performed in 2017, the place Pakistan secured a well-known 180-run victory over India within the ultimate at The Oval.
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The match options eight groups, divided into two teams of 4. Group A consists of arch-rivals Pakistan and India, alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand, promising high-octane encounters. Whereas Group B has World champions Australia, England, South Africa and debutants Afghanistan. The highest two groups from the group will progress to the semi-finals.
This is how the Group A contenders stacked up forward of the match:
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI photograph)
India: Title contenders regardless of harm setback
India enter the Champions Trophy as one of many match favourites, boasting a star-studded squad regardless of the unlucky harm to tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Led by Rohit Sharma, India’s batting stays formidable, with stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer anchoring the highest order.
A key power of this Indian aspect is its all-round depth, with Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar offering stability. The inclusion of contemporary faces like Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy within the bowling lineup provides selection to the assault. Having completed runners-up within the 2023 ODI World Cup, India might be eager to go one step additional this time.
India squad for Champions Trophy:
- Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (Picture credit score: PCB)
Pakistan: Hosts eyeing dwelling glory amidst stress
Because the host nation and defending champions, Pakistan crew carries the load of expectations. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, the crew will look to leverage dwelling benefit and repeat their 2017 success. Nevertheless, the squad faces challenges, together with current teaching instability, with Aqib Javed serving as interim coach.
With a potent tempo assault that includes Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, Pakistan’s bowling stays considered one of their largest strengths. Their batting lineup, led by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, might want to ship persistently underneath stress.
Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy:
- Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
New Zealand cricketers (PTI photograph)
New Zealand: Aiming for one more white-ball trophy
The Black Caps, underneath new white-ball captain Mitchell Santner, are robust contenders for the title. New Zealand are recognized for his or her consistency in ICC tournaments and might be desperate to safe their first main ODI trophy since their 2000 ICC Knockout win in opposition to India.
The Kiwis open the match in opposition to Pakistan in Karachi — a vital conflict that would set the tone for his or her marketing campaign. With seasoned gamers like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand crew boasts a well-balanced squad able to difficult any crew.
New Zealand squad for Champions Trophy:
- Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Younger, Jacob Duffy.
Bangladesh cricketers (Company Photograph)
Bangladesh: The perennial underdogs with massive ambitions
Bangladesh have a status for punching above their weight in ICC tournaments, and skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto has set excessive expectations, boldly stating, “We’re going to the Champions Trophy to change into champions.”
Regardless of blended leads to current sequence, Bangladesh will take confidence from their semi-final run within the 2017 version, the place they surprised New Zealand with a report chase in Cardiff. Veterans like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim might be essential in guiding the crew, whereas younger skills like Tawhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz look to make an impression.
Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy:
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
Group A Fixtures:
- February 19 – Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
- February 20 – India vs Bangladesh, Dubai
- February 23 – India vs Pakistan, Dubai
- February 24 – Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
- February 27 – Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
- March 2 – India vs New Zealand, Dubai
The semi-finals might be performed on March 4 (Dubai) and March 5 (Lahore), whereas the ultimate is scheduled for March 9 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Nevertheless, if Workforce India qualifies, the ultimate might be shifted to Dubai.
A gaggle of fireworks and excessive stakes
With a Pakistan-India conflict, a resilient Bangladesh aspect, and a decided New Zealand unit, Group A guarantees among the most anticipated matches of the match. The race to the semi-finals might be fierce, and cricket followers worldwide can anticipate an exciting begin to the 2025 cricketing calendar.
Will India lastly declare the Champions Trophy after falling quick in 2017? Can Pakistan defend their title at dwelling? Or will New Zealand or Bangladesh spring a shock? The solutions unfold from February 19.
