It’s been a while since we had a Champions Trophy, right?
Why has there been such a long hole?
Since its inception in 1998, the tournament was played every two years until 2009. Then it was moved to a four -year cycle. India was to host the 2021 edition, but it was replaced with the T20 world championship, which was eventually played in UAE.
So Pakistan are the hosts this time?
Yes, but there is more about it. Since India refused to travel to Pakistan, PCB chose a hybrid model with India’s matches to be held in Dubai. This decision was arrived after a long curse. Pakistan bone is played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawal Pindi. The National Stadium of Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore undergoes significant upgrades and renovations that are almost fighting against time. Their readiness is tested during the TRI series involving Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, just before Champions Trophy.
Where is the opening ceremony held at that time?
PCB hosts an event in Lahore on February 16 to mark the start of the tournament. However, there will be no captain’s meeting or press conference due to logistical reasons. This also concludes speculation as to whether or not India -captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan.
But why shouldn’t India go to Pakistan when everyone else is?
Due to political excitement between the two countries. Even Indian fighting servants do not travel to Pakistan. The last time India visited Pakistan was for the Asia Cup in 2008, although Pakistan has played several ICC tournaments in India since then, including the ODD world championship in 2023. Before Champions Trophy, the two boards and ICC reached an agreement that until 2027, even Pakistan’s matches in an ICC tournament that hosts India would be played in a neutral place.
When was the last time an ICC tournament was held in Pakistan?
Until that, you have to go all the way back to 1996 when Pakistan hosted the Odi World Championship with India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan was to host Champions Trophy in 2008. But due to security concerns, the tournament was eventually played in South Africa in 2009.
Does India Pakistan play in Champions Trophy 2025?
Yes, they are in the same group and face each other on February 23, Sunday in Dubai. Unlike the World Cups, where India has a 15-1 head-to-head record, things have been much closer in Champions Trophy, where Pakistan led 3-2.
How many teams do you attend?
Eight, the same as the 2017 edition. The only difference is that Afghanistan has qualified in front of Sri Lanka this time. The teams are divided into two groups. Group A has India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh and Group B South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England. You can find all the troops here.
How were the participants decided?
As hosts, Pakistan automatically secured qualification. The other seven teams were decided based on the 2023 ODD world championship. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, who ended the ninth and tithe, missed the cut.
What happened to the West Indies?
Since West Indies had not qualified for the 2023 ODD world championship, they could also not compete for Champions Trophy. It was the same case for Zimbabwe and Ireland, the other lack of full members.
What is the format of Champions Trophy?
Each team plays its fellow group members once. Then the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi -finals, where the A1 plays B2 and B1 plays A2.
If India qualifies, they will play their semi -finals in Dubai on March 4, regardless of their position on the point table. Similarly, if Pakistan qualifies, they play their semi -finals in Lahore on March 5th.
The final will be played on March 9 in Lahore, unless India makes it there. In this case, the room will again be Dubai.
What will happen if a match ends with a draw?
All tied matches throughout the tournament will be decided via super over. If super over is tied up, then the Superovers are played until there is a winner.
Is there a spare day for knockout matches?
Yes, the two semi -finals and the final have a spare day. But each attempt will be done to end the game on the very planned day. If this is not possible, the match will resume on the spare day from which it was stopped.
In the Knockout matches, the team, which is batted the other, must have the opportunity to play at least 25 overs – as opposed to 20 in the group play – for the result to be decided via the DLS method.
What happens if there is still a leaching?
In the event of a non-result in the semi-finals, the team, which ended higher in the group stage, continues to the final. If the final is washed out, the trophy is shared.
Have there ever been common winners?
Yes, India and host of Sri Lanka shared the trophy in 2002 after the final was washed out. There was a spare day in place, but according to the playing conditions at that time the match was played again. Both days, Sri Lanka fought first and played their full 50 overs, but Rain allowed no more than ten overs in the second round on any occasion.
What are some of the most important things I need to know about the teams?
Australia enters the tournament as ODI world champions, but their captain Pat Cummins, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and Allrounder Mitchell Marsh have been excluded with injuries. Marcus Stoinis is also retired. Australia has until February 12 to name their replacements.
India hopes Rohit and Virat Kohli will come well after poor return in the test cricket recently. Pakistan has remembered Fakhar Zaman, the player of the match last time, and England has done the same with Joe Root, while Bangladesh has omitted Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. New Zealand plays their first global tournament under Mitchell Santner.
Finally, where can I see the games?
Depending on your location, you can see the games according to the following.
Afghanistan – Ariana TV Australia – Prime Video Bangladesh – Nagorik TV and T Sports England – Pakinomist India – Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar New Zealand – Sky Sport Pakistan – PTV, a sport and tap food South Africa – Super Sports Sri Lanka – Star Sports Network UAE – Starz on US – Willow TV
As always, Pakinomist will have full coverage, from scores, news and functions to analysis and expert opinions.
