Tag: Champions Trophy 2025

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has recently revealed his favorites for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19 February.

According to Yousuf, New Zealand and India are the most balanced teams in the tournament, with all bases covered in their squads.

“It’s tough to pick a favorite. It’s a big tournament, and momentum can shift at any time. For me, New Zealand looks like the most balanced side,” Yousuf said.

“They have a well-rounded squad suited for subcontinent conditions. Their lineup includes three quality fast bowlers, good spinners, and a solid top six in batting.

“Their wicketkeeper is an all-rounder, and they have two spin-bowling all-rounders as well. India also has a balanced squad.”

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He recognized that Pakistan would have the distinct advantage of playing on home soil in the Champions Trophy 2025. They can benefit from it if they approach the tournament with strategic intent, harnessing the energy of local support to elevate their performance.

“Pakistan has the edge because they are familiar with the conditions. However, they must play calculated cricket throughout the tournament,” he stated.

Mohammad Yousuf also shared a piece of important advice for the Pakistan team, emphasising the importance of rotating the strike and minimising dot balls.

“We have played on turning wickets recently, so we need to find the gaps against spinners, rotate the strike, and minimize dot balls,” he added.

“In the tri-series final against New Zealand, we struggled to dominate their spinners in the middle overs. With five fielders inside the 30-yard circle, there are always scoring opportunities.”

READ: Former cricketers pick highest run-scorer for Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has raised doubts over the fitness of fast bowler Haris Rauf, saying he might be unable to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

For the unversed, Haris Rauf left the field during the 36th over of the tri-nation series opener against New Zealand after bowling 6.2 overs due to a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region.

“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand,” PCB shared in a statement.

“The injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February.”

However, in a recent interview, Mohammad Amir said that Haris could be ruled out for at least six months if sustained a side strain.

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“If Haris Rauf has a side strain, he cannot recover fully before six weeks. If it’s just stiffness, then that’s different,” said Amir. “If it is a grade one or two side strain, no matter what, it will take six weeks, and then the rehab starts.”

The former Pakistan pacer also shared his experience of having the same injury a few years back.

“I got this injury during PSL a couple of years ago. If it is a side strain of grade one or two, then I don’t think he [Haris Rauf] can play the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Mohammad Amir also opined that it would be ‘foolish’ to risk unfit Haris Rauf’s career for the mega event.

“I think it will be foolish to risk his career for three matches of a tournament because he won’t be able to give his 100 per cent,” said Mohammad Amir.

READ: Australia cricket team arrives in Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

LAHORE: The Australia cricket team has arrived in Pakistan in two groups to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on 19 February.

The first group, featuring head coach, captain Steve Smith and support staff, reached Lahore from Colombo via Dubai.

Soon after, the second group, consisting of 15 players, including the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Matthew Short, and Adam Zampa, along with two additional staff members, also landed in Lahore.

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It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Meanwhile, Australia will begin their campaign against arch-rivals England on February 22 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Their second match is scheduled for February 25 against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the Aussies will play their final group stage match against Afghanistan on February 28 in Lahore.

Australia squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Steve Smith (c), 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 Zampa.

Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.

READ: Shahid Afridi predicts leading wicket-taker for India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clash

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi named fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the leading wicket-taker in the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Afridi revealed the name in a panel of former Indian and Pakistani cricketers put together by the well-known Indian sports channel in the run-up to the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India.

The star-studded panel featured Indian greats Yuvraj Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu alongside former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

The panel answered six burning questions regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 high-octane match.

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While answering the leading-wicket-taker question, Shahid Afridi expressed confidence in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s abilities. At the same time, Inzamam-ul-Haq favoured Haris Rauf to emerge as the highest wicket-taker in the high-voltage match.

Yuvraj Singh backed India’s Mohammed Shami to claim the top spot, while Navjot Singh Sidhu suggested an Indian spinner would lead in wickets.

The former power hitter’s endorsement of Shaheen is rooted in the young pacer’s impressive track record and rapid ascent in international cricket.

Since his debut in 2018, Shaheen has consistently delivered standout performances across all formats. His most memorable spell against the archrivals came in the 2021 T20 World Cup when his 3 for 31 dismantled the Indian batting lineup.

Shahid Afridi further addressed the high-voltage contest between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that attitude and body language will play a crucial role in determining the winner of a match.

He reflected on the 2011 World Cup semifinal, noting that the team’s confidence is essential in overcoming opponents.

“We thought we had won. But after our first wicket fell, and seeing India’s body language in the field, I sensed from the dugout that we might struggle to chase the target. It’s all about confidence and how you overpower the other team,” he said.

READ: Champions Trophy 2025 electrifying opening ceremony kicks off in Lahore

The star-studded, electrifying ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony starts in style at the historic Diwan-e-Aam fort of Lahore.

The event featured the players from the winning squad of the 2017 Champions Trophy, along with the ambassadors of the mega event.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, also attended the opening ceremony.

The Pakistan Air Force also participates in the Champions Trophy opening ceremony with a fantastic fly-past to ensure it starts in style.

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Pakistani music legend Atif Aslam will play the official tournament anthem, making him the evening’s main attraction.

For the unversed, the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on 19 February, with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March unless India qualifies, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: Former cricketers pick highest run-scorer for Champions Trophy

The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, has arrived in Dubai for the highly-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting next week in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on 19 February, with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

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In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March unless India qualifies, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches will involve India, and the first semi-final will be played in Dubai.

In a video posted to social media with the phrase “Touchdown Dubai,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) showed Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and other team members getting off their tour van and checking into their hotel.

It is pertinent to mention that Team India is considered a strong contender for the trophy title. However, they have suffered a huge blow ahead of the Champions Trophy as their key fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has been ruled out of the mega event due to injury.

Team India, which is considered the strong contender for the Champions Trophy, has suffered a huge blow ahead of the mega event as their ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has been ruled out due to an injury.

India’s cricket team is grouped with its arch-rivals Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh.

The Men in Blue will start their campaign against Bangladesh on 20 February in Dubai, while the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India will take place on 23 February.

Indian Team Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025 :

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

READ: Former cricketers pick highest run-scorer for Champions Trophy

The star-studded panel featuring former Indian and Pakistani batters Yuvraj Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Shahid Afridi have revealed their picks for leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for the India-Pakistan match in the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on 19 February, with the host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

Yuvraj Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu and former Pakistan captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi were put together by the well-known Indian sports channel in the run-up to the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India.

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The star cricketers addressed six questions about the marquee tournament’s biggest match between India and Pakistan.

1. Who will be the highest run-scorer?
Yuvraj Singh: Shubman Gill
Navjot Singh Sidhu: Rohit Sharma
Shahid Afridi: Babar Azam
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Babar Azam

2. Who will be the leading wicket-taker?
Yuvraj Singh: Mohammed Shami
Navjot Singh Sidhu: An Indian spinner
Shahid Afridi: Shaheen Shah Afridi
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Haris Rauf

3. Which player will have a match-defining moment?
Yuvraj Singh: Hardik Pandya
Navjot Singh Sidhu: Rishabh Pant
Shahid Afridi: Mohammad Rizwan
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Fakhar Zaman

4. One young player to watch out for?
Yuvraj Singh: Shubman Gill
Navjot Singh Sidhu: Varun Chakravarthy
Shahid Afridi: Saud Shakeel
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Saud Shakeel

5. Who will have a bigger impact: Shami or Shaheen?
Shahid Afridi: Both know how to use the new ball, so let’s see.
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Shaheen Shah Afridi

6. Which team has the upper hand in the India-Pakistan match?

While answering the question, Yuvraj Singh believed that Pakistan holds an advantage in Dubai conditions, likely due to its familiarity with the climate and pitch.

In contrast, Navjot Singh Sidhu argued that India is a much better-balanced team, suggesting that their overall skill set could give them the edge.

Meanwhile, Inzamam-ul-Haq took a more neutral stance, stating that both teams are equal and that the outcome may hinge on their body language and performance on the day of the match.

Additionally, Shahid Afridi emphasized that attitude and body language will play a crucial role in determining the winner of a match.

He reflected on the 2011 World Cup semifinal, noting that the team’s confidence is essential in overcoming opponents.

“We thought we had won. But after our first wicket fell, and seeing India’s body language in the field, I sensed from the dugout that we might struggle to chase the target. It’s all about confidence and how you overpower the other team,” he said.

READ: Michael Clarke reveals his favorites for Champions Trophy 2025

Former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has backed the Mitchell Santner-led side to lift the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to commence on 19 February in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

In an exclusive chat with the ICC, the veteran pacer expressed confidence in New Zealand’s ability to perform in the upcoming mega event.

He backed the team to do well in the tournament after New Zealand’s unbeaten run in the recently concluded tri-nation series.

“The way the team have played, different guys have stepped up. It’s a good mix between some experienced guys and some exciting young guys with a lot of potential,” said the veteran bowler.

“The experience of this Tri-Nation Series is only going to stand them in good stead for the tournament,” Southee stated.

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He further highlighted the role of winning the tri-nation series and New Zealand’s ability to adapt to conditions in Pakistan, as important for building the team’s momentum ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“So, taking some momentum into the tournament and being accustomed to those conditions, it’s only going to be a good thing,” said the former pacer.

Tim Southee also acknowledged Trent Bolt’s absence from the side in the Champions Trophy, however, he showed confidence in young pacers Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith off leading the bowling attack in the tournament.

“It’s something different not having Trent and myself at an ICC event but at the same time, it’s exciting. These events are great to be a part of and it’s in front of these guys now, I’m very excited to see how they go,” he stated.

The highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in international cricket further praised the Kiwi run machine Kane Williamson’s performance in the tri-series.

“Kane is in good form, it’s nice to see him with a couple of scores, he’s class. He’s not played a lot of one-day cricket for the last few years but to see him come back and have two significant contributions is what we’re used to seeing,” the former New Zealand pacer said.

Tim Southee believed in his former teammates, backing them to title glory and replicating their success from 2000.

“If you look at the track record of New Zealand in ICC events, they are always there or thereabouts. In a tournament like the Champions Trophy, if you get on a bit of a roll, anything can happen. I’d love to see the Blackcaps there and hopefully lifting the trophy at the end,” he concluded.

READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Additional tickets to go on sale today

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday revealed that the additional tickets for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches scheduled in UAE will open today.

According to the ICC, additional tickets will be available for group-stage India matches and Semi-final 1 which are taking place in Dubai.

“Additional tickets for the three group-stage India matches and Semi-final 1 at the Champions Trophy 2025, which are taking place in Dubai, UAE, will go on sale today,” the ICC said in a press release.

Tickets will be available for India’s opening group match with Bangladesh on February 20, while there will also be tickets available for their games against arch-rival Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2) at the eight-team tournament.

The mega event final tickets- to be played on Sunday 9 March will be available for purchase after the conclusion of the first semi-final in Dubai.

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Additionally, there will also be limited tickets available for semi-final 1 which will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 4.

For the unversed, the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: Salman Ali Agha eyes Champions Trophy glory in hometown Lahore

Pakistan vice-captain Salman Ali Agha expressed his aim to win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and lift the coveted silverware in his hometown Lahore.

In the latest episode of the PCB Podcast, Salman opened up about his excitement, while stating that the tournament holds immense significance not just for him, but for the entire nation.

“I am excited for the Champions Trophy—Pakistan hosting an ICC event is special,” said Salman. “As a Lahore native, lifting the trophy in my hometown would be a dream come true. The Pakistan team has the potential to win.”

While the Pakistan-India clash remains the tournament’s most anticipated fixture, Salman made it clear that the ultimate goal is to bring the trophy home.

“The Pakistan-India match is the biggest, but winning the Champions Trophy is more important,” he added.

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“If we beat India but don’t win the tournament, that win holds no value. However, if we lose to India but lift the trophy, that’s a bigger achievement. Our goal is to perform well and win.”

Speaking about his role as vice-captain, Salman Ali Agha admitted that while the added responsibility brings pressure, it also gives him the freedom to express himself on the field.

“I am really enjoying cricket and the new role given to me. Being vice-captain comes with responsibility but also a sense of freedom,” he stated.

“The victories in Australia and South Africa gave me a lot of confidence, and I always prepare thoroughly a day before the match.”

For the unversed, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a game against New Zealand on February 19, followed by the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

READ: Steve Smith backs Jake Fraser-McGurk to perform in Champions Trophy