The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from February 19 to March 9, and the tournament will feature the top eight teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup. It is co-hosted by UAE and Pakistan and it is Pakistan's first major global event since 1996. Due to political tensions, matches involving India will be played in the UAE and the remaining games will be played in Pakistan. The tournament consists of 15 matches which include group stages, semi-finals, and the final.
The tournament was first known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998 but was later renamed to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and held every four years since 2009. It was last held in 2017 and was discontinued. It was revived for 2025. This edition of the tournament features Afghanistan's debut, but Sri Lanka, a former champion, doesn't make it. The format is divided into two groups, and the top two go straight into the knockout stage.
India confirmed participation in a hybrid model due to security reasons. The ICC has come up with a global trophy tour to ensure that the event is properly marketed in all the nations that participate. This Champions Trophy is one big achievement for Pakistan to host and is, at the same time, an indication that cricket is capable of overcoming differences, no matter how much political tension there is.
Group A Teams:
- Pakistan
- New Zealand
- Bangladesh
- India
Group B Teams:
- Afghanistan
- South Africa
- Australia
- England
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