Cricket fans around the world are excited for the ICC Champions Trophy return in 2025, after eight years of the last edition in 2017. Pakistan will be hosting the tournament starting from February 19th and promises to deliver a scintillating showdown between the world’s best eight cricketing nations. Pakistan, being the host nation and the defending champions, will try to regain the title on their home turf.
Tournament Format and Groups
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has eight teams, which are divided into two groups. The teams will play three group-stage matches, and the top two from each group will move on to the semi-finals.
Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh
Group B: England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan
The first match of the tournament will be between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19th. It is going to be a highly competitive tournament.
Group A Squads
Bangladesh
Led by Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh has a well-balanced team comprising experienced campaigners like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. The team has young energy in the form of Tanzid Hasan and Tawhid Hridoy, and Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed will provide more strength to the bowling.
New Zealand
With Mitchell Santner as the captain, New Zealand’s team has a good balance of experienced players and young talent. Kane Williamson’s return from injury is a big positive, along with Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips in the batting. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry will spearhead the pace attack.
India and Pakistan
Both teams haven’t disclosed their squad till now. From India, fans would expect something full of stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. The champion from last season, Pakistan, will play its ace up its sleeve relying upon its onslaught speed attack and reliable batsmen core here on home turf.
Group B Teams
Afghanistan
Hashmatullah Shahidi captains a spirited Afghan side, and Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi bring experience. Youngsters like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will look to shine on the big stage.
England
Jos Buttler’s England boasts a powerhouse lineup, blending aggressive batting with a potent bowling attack. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will spearhead the pace unit, while Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone add firepower to the batting order.
Australia
Australia’s Pat Cummins leads a highly potent Australian team, with tested players like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc. The prospects for the future of Matt Short and Aaron Hardie are exciting to watch.
South Africa
Temba Bavuma’s South Africa will be a highly potent team that has dependable cricketers such as Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram. Their very well-balanced team has good explosive batting combined with disciplined bowling.
A New Era for the Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 revives the cherished and compact high-stakes format for which it had earned appreciation, where cricket’s finest faces test in their competition.
Read More: ICC Team Reviews Rawalpindi Stadium for Champions Trophy 2025
A thriller packed with intense power-play action and cliff-hanging finish line results can be predicted in the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for early next year as a thrilling game between world-cricket’s powerhouses, on the international circuit in the sub-continent country where February approaches; this marks all eyes glued at Pakistan.
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