Champions Trophy Returns After Eight-Year Gap with Thrilling Opening Clash
The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to mark its grand return after an eight-year hiatus, with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand in the tournament opener on February 19 in Karachi. This will be the ninth edition of the prestigious One-Day International (ODI) tournament, which was last held in 2017 when Pakistan lifted the trophy in England.
Reviving the competition wasn’t always the plan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had initially scrapped the event in 2016, preferring a streamlined calendar focusing on the 50-over World Cup. However, the decision was reversed in 2021, recognizing the tournament’s unique value in the cricketing landscape.
India-Pakistan Rivalry to be Split Between Two Nations
While Pakistan is the official host, political tensions with India mean that all of India’s matches will be played in Dubai, ensuring the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash on February 23 will take place on neutral soil.
The top seven teams from the 2023 ODI World Cup, along with hosts Pakistan, will compete for the trophy.
Group Stage Split
Group A:
- Pakistan (Hosts)
- India
- New Zealand
- Bangladesh
Group B:
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
- Afghanistan
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the final scheduled for March 9, either in Lahore or Dubai, depending on the finalists.
Star-Studded Squads Announced
Each team has revealed its squad, packed with top talents and seasoned campaigners.
Pakistan:
Captain Mohammad Rizwan will lead a squad including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf, under interim coach Aaqib Javed.
India:
Skipper Rohit Sharma leads Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Shami, coached by Gautam Gambhir.
New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner captains a balanced team, featuring Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Lockie Ferguson, guided by Gary Stead.
Australia:
Veteran Steve Smith leads the side, with stars like Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa, coached by Andrew McDonald.
England:
Jos Buttler skippers an explosive lineup, including Jofra Archer, Joe Root, and Harry Brook, with Brendon McCullum as head coach.
South Africa:
Captain Temba Bavuma will look to Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Aiden Markram for success, under Rob Walter.
Bangladesh:
Nazmul Hossain Shanto leads an experienced side featuring Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Taskin Ahmed, coached by Phil Simmons.
Afghanistan:
Making their Champions Trophy debut, Hashmatullah Shahidi captains a promising team with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, led by Jonathan Trott.
Key Fixtures to Watch
- Opening Match: Pakistan vs. New Zealand – February 19 (Karachi)
- India vs. Pakistan Blockbuster: February 23 (Dubai)
- Australia vs. England Rivalry: February 22 (Lahore)
- Semi-Finals: March 4 (Dubai) & March 5 (Lahore)
- Final: March 9 (Lahore or Dubai)
Champions Trophy 2025 Full Schedule
- February 19 – Pakistan vs. New Zealand (Karachi)
- February 20 – Bangladesh vs. India (Dubai)
- February 21 – Afghanistan vs. South Africa (Karachi)
- February 22 – Australia vs. England (Lahore)
- February 23 – Pakistan vs. India (Dubai)
- February 24 – Bangladesh vs. New Zealand (Rawalpindi)
- February 25 – Australia vs. South Africa (Rawalpindi)
- February 26 – Afghanistan vs. England (Lahore)
- February 27 – Pakistan vs. Bangladesh (Rawalpindi)
- February 28 – Afghanistan vs. Australia (Lahore)
- March 1 – South Africa vs. England (Karachi)
- March 2 – New Zealand vs. India (Dubai)
- March 4 – Semi-final 1 (Dubai)
- March 5 – Semi-final 2 (Lahore)
- March 9 – Final (Lahore or Dubai)
Teams Eyeing Glory
Pakistan will aim to defend their title, while India, Australia, and England seek to add more silverware to their trophy cabinets. New Zealand and South Africa are hungry for success, Bangladesh hopes to cause upsets, and Afghanistan is ready to make a statement in their debut appearance.
As the cricketing world gears up for this global showdown, rivalries will reignite, and fans can expect a thrilling battle for supremacy in the revived Champions Trophy.
