Champions Trophy 2025 Archives

Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy 2025 breaks viewership records

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan, has shattered the viewership records, establishing itself as the most-watched edition in the tournament’s history.

The ICC report indicates that the 2025 Champions Trophy, which took place earlier this year in Pakistan and the UAE, achieved a staggering 368 billion global viewing minutes, representing a notable 19 percent increase from the previous tournament held in England and Wales in 2017.

According to the report, this prestigious event, featuring eight international teams, recorded an average of 308 million global viewing minutes per over, the highest ever for an ICC tournament.

The final match of the Champions Trophy 2025, held on March 9 between India and New Zealand, set a record as the most-watched game in the tournament’s history, generating 65.3 billion live viewing minutes worldwide—an increase of 52.1 percent over the record established by the 2017 final.

Additionally, the Champions Trophy 2025 final is now ranked as the third most-watched game in any ICC event based on live viewing time.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The tournament also established new viewership records in prominent cricketing nations, including Australia, India, and Pakistan.

In Australia, this edition of the Champions Trophy became the most viewed ever, with a 65 percent rise in viewing hours compared to the previous tournament.

It’s noteworthy that the event was conducted under a hybrid format after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) came to an agreement on a fusion model.

India, the eventual champion, played all its matches in the UAE, including their game against host nation Pakistan.

READ: PSL 10: Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza confident ahead of Eliminator against Qalandars

PCB dismisses reports about Champions Trophy 2025 financial loss

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday dismissed the reports spread by the Indian media about the financial aspects of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Amir Mir, advisor to the PCB chairman, and Javed Murtaza, PCB Chief Financial Officer (CFO), held a press conference in Lahore to address the rumours that Pakistan cricket suffered a loss of $85 million by hosting the Champions Trophy 2025.

“We need to expose the propaganda of the Indian media and the anti-Pakistan elements who have been running a shop of lies. Unfortunately, even some Pakistani media outlets are broadcasting it,” Mir stated.

According to Amir Mir, Pakistan Cricket was expecting a profit of Rs3 billion compared to the initial projection of Rs2 billion.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The estimated profit from the Champions Trophy 2025 stands at Rs3 billion. This revenue is generated from gate money and ground fees,” he said.

The PCB official went on to clarify that the board did not spend any money from its own pocket, with the ICC covering all $70 million expenses.

“PCB did not contribute any money for the Champions Trophy 2025; ICC covered all expenses with a budget of $70 million, and a complete audit is yet to be conducted,” he said.

Mir deemed the eight-team tournament a success and revealed that Pakistan Cricket had paid the government Rs 4 billion in taxes.

“The PCB has paid Rs4 billion in taxes to the government while its financial reserves continue to increase. The Champions Trophy was successfully organized, with all major teams playing in Pakistan,” he said.

READ: Mohammad Yousuf backs young batters to shine in challenging New Zealand conditions

Here’s why there is no bus parade for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 winning squad

The members of the Indian cricket team returned home after winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but unlike their celebration for the T20 World Cup 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not plan a bus parade.

After winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, the Rohit Sharma-led squad received a grand welcome upon their return from the West Indies and the United States.

Unlike the 2024 victory, when the entire India squad returned home on a chartered flight, members of the Champions Trophy-winning squad are arriving in India separately from Dubai.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

According to the Indian media, the reason for not holding a bus parade or victory celebration ceremony is the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which will begin on 22 March.

Given the tight schedule, the BCCI has decided not to organize a grand celebration. Furthermore, most Indian players preferred a short break before the start of the league’s 18th edition.

It is pertinent to note that India triumphed in the final against New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Men in Blue Chased down a target of 252 runs with six wickets and six balls to spare, led by a match-winning half-century from captain Rohit Sharma.

Although the team faced a hiccup after Sharma’s wicket, crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul helped the Indian team cross the finishing line.

Read: New Zealand unveil squad for home T20I series against Pakistan

Rohit Sharma joins Imran Khan in elite list after Champions Trophy 2025 win

India captain Rohit Sharma, who led his team to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 glory, has etched his name among cricket’s greatest leaders, joining Pakistan’s legend Imran Khan in an exclusive club of captains.

India’s triumph over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final saw Rohit become only the fourth captain in history to win four major tournament titles in multi-team competitions.

Rohit now stands alongside legendary captains like Imran Khan, Ricky Ponting, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni—each boasting four major titles as captain.

Rohit Sharma’s Trophy Cabinet as Captain

Asia Cup 2018
Asia Cup 2023
T20 World Cup 2024
Champions Trophy 2025

Captains with Four Major Titles

Imran Khan (Pakistan)

Austral-Asia Cup 1986
Nehru Cup 1989
Austral-Asia Cup 1990
World Cup 1992

Ricky Ponting (Australia)

World Cup 2003
Champions Trophy 2006
World Cup 2007
Champions Trophy 2009

MS Dhoni (India)

T20 World Cup 2007
World Cup 2011
Champions Trophy 2013
T20 Asia Cup 2016

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Adding another milestone to his name, Rohit became just the fourth captain in history to win the Player of the Match award in an ICC final. He joins an exclusive list that includes:

Clive Lloyd (CWC 1975, West Indies)
Ricky Ponting (CWC 2003, Australia)
MS Dhoni (CWC 2011, India)
Rohit Sharma (CT 2025, India)

Moreover, Rohit is now only the second Indian captain, after Dhoni, to secure multiple ICC trophies, reinforcing his credentials as a leader who thrives in high-stakes tournaments.

Under his captaincy, India has been a dominant force in global tournaments, winning 23 out of 24 matches across the last three major ICC events.

This Champions Trophy victory also saw India clinch their third title in the tournament’s history, having previously won in 2002 and 2013—a record no other team has matched.

READ: New Zealand unveil squad for home T20I series against Pakistan

No Rohit Sharma as ICC reveals Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the team for Champions Trophy 2025, featuring five Indian cricketers, excluding trophy-winning captain Rohit Sharma.

India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final on Sunday to lift the trophy for a record third time.

Rohit Sharma scored a match-winning fifty in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The ICC has now announced the Team of the Tournament, which includes five Indian players and four players from New Zealand, who were the tournament’s runner-ups.

The Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament also includes two players from the Afghanistan cricket team.

Rachin Ravindra, who won the Player of the Tournament award, was picked as the team’s opener.

He scored 263 runs at an average of 65.75 in four matches, including two tons in the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran has been picked as his opening partner in the Team of the Tournament following his exceptional batting performance in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Zadran made 216 runs at 72 average in three matches, including a century in the team’s three games.

India’s Virat Kohli, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeping batter KL Rahul were also part of the prestigious team.

New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips is the sixth member of the team followed by Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai at seventh.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, India’s Mohammed Shami, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry and Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy complete the Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament.

India allrounder Axar Patel was picked as the 12th player of the team.

Read: Hardik Pandya dodges Pakistan travel question with witty reply after Champions Trophy win

Hardik Pandya dodges Pakistan travel question with witty reply after Champions Trophy win

DUBAI: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya humorously replied to a question about the team’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

During the post-match press conference after the Men in Blue’s victory against New Zealand in the final, a Pakistani journalist questioned Pandya about India’s choice to play all their matches in the UAE instead of Pakistan, the tournament’s official host.

“It’s great. Even the people of Pakistan wanted us to play there, but it couldn’t happen. I’m sure all the Pakistanis in Dubai must have enjoyed the match.”

Hardik Pandya further stated that the decision to travel to Pakistan for the multi-nation tournament is above his pay grade.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“As for why the Indian team didn’t go to Pakistan, I think that’s above my pay grade,” he said.

His amusing remark, accompanied by a smile, triggered laughter in the room and soon gained traction on social media.

For the unversed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited security and political tensions as reasons for not travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

This resulted in a hybrid model, with India playing all their matches in Dubai while other teams played in Pakistan.

Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that it will not send its team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup and will instead play at a neutral venue.

Read: Wasim Akram reacts to PCB’s absence from Champions Trophy presentation ceremony

ICC clarifies absence of PCB officials from Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials during the Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony, which took place here on Sunday.

An ICC spokesperson explained that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was the official representative of the host board, had been invited to attend the ceremony but was unable to attend.

“Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final,” the spokesperson stated.

The apex cricketing body further emphasized its long-standing protocol regarding such events while responding to the criticism about the lack of Pakistani representation on stage.

The spokesperson outlined that, according to ICC procedures, only the head of the host board—whether it be the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—is invited to be part of the awards ceremony.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Other board officials, even if they are present at the venue, are not included in the stage proceedings.

The absence of PCB officials on stage was therefore due to the fact that the board’s designated representative did not attend, with the protocol being followed as per the ICC’s established practices.

However, sources within the PCB have revealed that the board plans to raise the matter with the ICC.

The PCB intends to formally inquire why its CEO, Sumair Ahmad Syed, who was present in Dubai as the director of the Champions Trophy 2025, was not invited to the ceremony.

“It is concerning that Pakistan was not given representation at the closing ceremony despite the presence of a key PCB official in Dubai,” a source close to the PCB said.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi hails collective efforts behind successful hosting of Champions Trophy

Mohsin Naqvi hails collective efforts behind successful hosting of Champions Trophy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in the successful hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking a significant achievement for Pakistan in international cricket.

In a message posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Naqvi praised the tireless efforts of the PCB team, law enforcement agencies, provincial governments, ICC officials, and the participating teams for their roles in ensuring the tournament’s smooth execution.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated PCB team, the vigilant law enforcement agencies, the supportive provincial governments, the esteemed ICC officials, and all the phenomenal participating cricket teams that traveled to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025,” Naqvi wrote.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Your relentless efforts made it possible for us to hold the Champions Trophy 2025 seamlessly and turn it into a remarkable success story.”

Mohsin Naqvi also emphasized the pride Pakistan takes in hosting the prestigious event, calling it a historic milestone for cricket fans around the world.

The successful organization of the tournament has further reinforced Pakistan’s credibility as a capable and secure host for major international cricket events.

It is worth noting that India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to lift the Champions Trophy 2025 title.

READ: Harry Brook withdraws from IPL to ‘recharge’ and focus on England

Rohit Sharma opens up on ODI retirement after Champions Trophy 2025 victory

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has firmly put to rest any speculation regarding his retirement from ODI cricket following his team’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand on Sunday.

Rohit, who played a crucial role in India’s third Champions Trophy triumph with a blistering 76 runs, made it clear that he has no intention of retiring from the 50-over format.

“I’m not retiring from this format… make sure no rumours are spread,” Rohit Sharma stated, putting an end to the swirling retirement rumours.

India’s victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 marks their second consecutive ICC tournament triumph, having won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 last year.

Rohit Sharma also spoke about the team’s strategic approach in Dubai, highlighting the importance of spinners in their success during the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“When I learned that the tournament was going to be played in Dubai, we decided to select four spinners because the conditions here favour spin bowling. The pitch had been used enough, and in such conditions, spinners can become match-winners,” he explained.

Reflecting on the tense moments in the final, where India lost three early wickets, Rohit admitted that the situation created significant pressure.

“It was a tough phase. We needed a big partnership to stabilise the innings. Thankfully, we managed to recover and play our way back into the game,” he said.

Rohit also touched upon the disappointment of India’s loss in the ICC World Cup 2023 final against Australia in Ahmedabad, acknowledging the heartbreak but emphasizing the team’s remarkable achievements since then.

“The 2023 World Cup final, especially on home soil, is a regret. But when I look at our performances over the past three years—winning every match in the T20 World Cup, securing that trophy, and now claiming victory in the Champions Trophy—it shows how far we’ve come,” he concluded.

READ: Virat Kohli breaks silence on retirement after India’s Champions Trophy triumph

Virat Kohli breaks silence on retirement after India’s Champions Trophy triumph

DUBAI: India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli shared his thoughts following the Men in Blue’s hard-fought victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Kohli, played a pivotal role in the Indian team’s undefeated run in the tournament, scoring 218 runs in five innings, including a masterful knock against arch-rivals Pakistan.

While no immediate retirement announcements were made, the iconic batter noted that the Indian team is in excellent hands following their victory against the Black Caps.

“It’s been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour. Lovely playing with a bunch of amazing youngsters. They’re stepping up and taking India in the right direction,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“After playing for so long, you look forward to playing under pressure. To win titles, the whole team has to step up in different games.”

“People have played such impactful knocks and had spells, that collective effort is what has done it for us,” added Kohli.

The right-hander shed light on his experience of playing for so long, mentioning the lessons learned.

“I try to speak to these guys, try to share my experience, tell them how I’ve played for so long,” he explained.

“When you leave, you want to leave in a better position. So many impactful knocks Gill, Shreyas, Rahul, et al have played.” Kohli stated.

He elaborated on Team India’s strategy and conveyed his best wishes for New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

“The team is in good hands. We’ve always been in awe of what NZ can do with limited no. of players. They come in with a set plan. Every fielder knows where the bowler will bowl.”

“They have immense belief in their skills, best fielding side. Huge shoutout to them. Sad to see a very good friend (Kane Williamson) on the losing side, only love between us,” concluded Kohli.

Read: Dominant India thump New Zealand to lift 2025 Champions Trophy