The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is set to commence in Pakistan on February 19, 2025, marking the return of the prestigious tournament after an eight-year gap. The opening match will see the Green Shirts (Pakistan) take on New Zealand in what promises to be a thrilling start to the competition.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had initially discontinued the Champions Trophy after the 2017 edition, prioritizing the 50-over World Cup. However, following extensive deliberations and multiple meetings, the ICC reversed its decision in late 2021, reviving the tournament.
One of the most significant developments leading up to the 2025 edition was India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan, citing political tensions. After prolonged negotiations, it was decided that India would play its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament would be hosted in Pakistan.
Qualified Teams and Group Stage Breakdown
The top seven teams from the 2023 World Cup, along with host nation Pakistan, have qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025. The eight teams have been divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Group A:
Pakistan (Host)
India
New Zealand
Bangladesh
Group B:
Australia
England
South Africa
Afghanistan
Pakistan Squad:
Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
Players: 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
Coach: Aaqib Javed (Interim)
Best Performance: Champions Trophy winners in 2017 under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership.
India Squad:
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Players: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy
Coach: Gautam Gambhir
Best Performance: Champions Trophy winners in 2002 and 2013.
Bangladesh Squad:
Captain: Najmul Hossain Shanto
Players: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Hasan Raza
Coach: Phil Simmons
Best Performance: Reached semi-finals in 2017.
New Zealand Squad:
Captain: Mitchell Santner
Players: Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Coach: Gary Stead
Best Performance: Champions Trophy winners in 2000.
Afghanistan Squad:
Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
Players: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Malik, Naveen Malik
Coach: Jonathan Trott
Best Performance: First-time qualifiers for the Champions Trophy.
England Squad:
Captain: Jos Buttler
Players: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood
Coach: Brendon McCullum
Best Performance: Reached finals in 2004 and 2013.
Australia Squad:
Captain: Steve Smith
Players: Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Short
Coach: Andrew McDonald
Best Performance: Champions Trophy winners in 2006 and 2009.
South Africa Squad:
Captain: Temba Bavuma
Players: Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Wiaan Mulder
Coach: Rob Walter
Best Performance: Champions Trophy winners in 1998.
High-Stakes Rivalries and Key Matches to Watch
Pakistan vs India (February 23, Dubai): The most anticipated clash of the tournament, set to take place at a neutral venue.
Australia vs England (February 22, Lahore): A classic rivalry renewed in Pakistani soil.
Afghanistan’s Debut: The rising cricketing nation makes its first appearance in the Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a spectacle of cricketing excellence, with world-class teams, fierce rivalries, and thrilling matches. As Pakistan hosts the tournament after nearly a decade, fans around the globe eagerly await the action-packed schedule and the crowning of a new champion.
