Tag: Champions Trophy 2025

LAHORE: Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against England in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

The 2025 edition marks the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament being held in 2017, where Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals India in the final.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

READ: Kiwi match-winner Ravindra relishes return after freak accident

India all-rounder Axar Patel has shared the thought process behind his brilliant direct hit that sent Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq back to the pavilion during their high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash in Dubai on February 23.

The crucial run-out occurred in the 10th over when Imam, looking to rotate the strike after Babar Azam’s dismissal, attempted a quick single against left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

However, Axar was quick to react, gathering the ball swiftly and nailing a direct hit at the non-striker’s end. Imam was caught short, departing for just 10 runs, leaving Pakistan struggling at 47/2 in 9.2 overs.

Reflecting on the moment, Axar Patel revealed that he had visualized the dismissal even before the delivery, anticipating that Imam-ul-Haq might attempt a risky run.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

“The ball before, I was already thinking that he might look for a quick single, and if he did, I could execute a direct hit,” Axar told the ICC.

“I was standing a few steps back but charged in quickly. The movement played out exactly as I expected, and I was able to hit the stumps directly.”

The Indian all-rounder further explained that he had done his homework on Imam’s tendencies, noting that the left-hander often looks for quick singles, especially against spinners.

“When I came on to bowl during the powerplay, he had taken a single through mid-off where Harshit Rana was fielding,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“I had seen in videos that he frequently steps out against spinners to sneak quick runs. So, I had this scenario in mind, and when the moment came, I was ready.”

Pakistan’s batting woes continued in the match as they failed to post a challenging total against their arch-rivals. After being bundled out for 241, India chased down the target comfortably with six wickets in hand, thanks to a masterful century by Virat Kohli.

With back-to-back losses against New Zealand and India, Pakistan’s title defense came to an early end as they crashed out of the tournament before the semifinals.

The Green Shirts will now face Bangladesh in their final group-stage match on February 27 in Rawalpindi, but the result will have no bearing on their campaign.

READ: Jason Gillespie surprised over THESE players’ exclusion from Champions Trophy squad

Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has questioned the absence of young talents Irfan Khan Niazi and Sufiyan Muqeem from the Green Shirts’ squad for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

In a recent interview, Gillespie expressed his disbelief over Niazi’s omission, particularly highlighting his explosive batting and exceptional fielding.

“Irfan Khan Niazi is one of the hardest hitters and cleanest strikers of the ball in Pakistan. He is also the best fielder in the country. I cannot believe that he was not picked for the Champions Trophy,” Gillespie remarked.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

The former Australian pacer also heaped praise on left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, emphasizing his potential and temperament.

“Sufiyan Muqeem is a very talented cricketer who, if given the right opportunities, can be a great servant for Pakistan cricket,” he added.

Jason Gillespie further stated that selecting only one specialist spinner and leaving Sufiyan out of the squad was a blunder from Pakistan selectors.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Already in his short international career, he has shown that he has the skills and temperament to play at the highest level,” he said.

“For the selectors and team management to leave him out and go into the Champions Trophy with just one proper spinner was a glaring mistake.”

Pakistan entered the eight-team tournament as defending champions, however, they crashed out in the group stage after consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India.

READ: Ricky Ponting reveals why Pakistan failed to reach Champions Trophy semi-finals

Australia legend Ricky Ponting revealed the key reason behind the Pakistan team’s failure to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals.

The hosts and defending champions, Pakistan, were eliminated after losing their first two matches against New Zealand and India, respectively.

Pakistan suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the opening game of the eight-nation tournament.

After their defeat against the Black Caps, Pakistan lost against arch-rivals India, courtesy of a master class from Virat Kohli, who smashed an unbeaten century, chasing a modest total of 241 runs in Dubai.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting questioned whether Pakistan was maximizing the potential of their key players, particularly Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

“They haven’t been able to give their best back to their team. Those two guys had to stand up, they had to make big runs.”

“And they haven’t been able to do it in the first couple of games, and that might be the reason why Pakistan don’t make it through to the semi-finals,” Ponting said.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have struggled to score runs in the marquee event. Azam scored a scratchy 64 off 90 balls against New Zealand, while Rizwan faced criticism for scoring 46 off 77 deliveries against arch-rival India.

Ricky Ponting also praised the Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli’s ability to step up in crucial games.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“I’ve always said big games equal big names. You need your big names to stand up in those big moments, and no bigger game for India than a game against Pakistan,” he said.

“Your reputation is forged in what you do in the biggest contests on the international stage. So it’s no surprise to me that that has happened,” he concluded.

READ: Champions Trophy: Semi-final qualification scenario after South Africa-Australia washout

RAWALPINDI: The much-anticipated match between South Africa and Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for Tuesday, was called off due to persistent rain, leaving Group B wide open for all four teams

The showers continued throughout the afternoon, preventing the toss from taking place, and the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Following the washout, the Proteas remain at the top of Group B with three points at an NRR of +2.140, while the Aussies are on second spot with +0.475.

Australia started their campaign with a remarkable victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while South Africa secured a 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their opening game in Karachi.

As the group stage of the Champions Trophy reaches its climax, the qualification chances of each team in Group B hang in the balance. Here’s a breakdown of what’s at stake for each of the four teams:

South Africa

South Africa is well-positioned to progress, boasting a healthy net run rate (NRR) of +2.140 after their convincing 107-run win against Afghanistan.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

The Protease semifinal spot will be guaranteed with a win over England. If England doesn’t win both of their remaining games, they won’t be eliminated even if they lose against them.

Australia

Australia, champions in 2006 and 2009, have a solid chance of progressing to the knockout stage. A win versus Afghanistan in their final match will guarantee their place in the semi-final. However, a loss will leave Australia depending on South Africa to defeat England.

Ranks	Teams	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points	Net RR
1	South Africa	2	1	0	1	3	+2.140
2	Australia	2	1	0	1	3	+0.475
3	England	1	0	1	0	0	-0.475
4	Afghanistan	1	0	1	0	0	-2.140

 

England

England is on the brink of elimination after losing their opening game against arch-rivals Australia. Skipper Jos Buttler’s England will be eyeing a victory against Afghanistan in their upcoming clash, which could decide the fate of all four teams in Group B.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Afghanistan

Afghanistan, playing in its first Champions Trophy, faces an uphill task after its crushing defeat against South Africa. To stay in contention for the semi-finals, they have to win both their remaining games against England and Australia.

Each upcoming game in Group B is effectively a knockout contest, with the qualification hopes of each team hanging precariously in the balance.

Notably, New Zealand and India have already secured their place in the last four, while host and defending champions Pakistan and Bangladesh have been eliminated.

READ: Champions Trophy: Jos Buttler confident of England’s comeback against Afghanistan

LAHORE: England captain Jos Buttler is hopeful for a strong comeback in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in Lahore on 26 February.

While speaking at a pre-match press conference, Buttler expressed disappointment over the injury of fast-bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse.

“It’s unfortunate to lose Brydon Carse at this stage,but that’s part of the game,” he said.

England’s team lost against Australia in their Champions Trophy opener after posting a mammoth 352-run total. However, the England team captain remains confident that his team will perform well against Afghanistan.

“We will try not to repeat our mistakes and play good cricket. Obviously, It is difficult to set a target on this pitch.”

“I am hopeful both teams will play quality cricket,” said Buttler.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

He also reflected on the difficulties Afghan women face in education and sports.

“Women in Afghanistan are facing challenges; we hope that tomorrow’s encounter can be a source of hope for their betterment,” Buttler remarked.

When asked about Harry Brook’s form, Butler backed him as one of the best young batters in the world.

“I am not worried about Harry’s form; we all know that he is one of the world’s best batters right now,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Jos Buttler also supported the fast bowlers despite their struggle to contain the Australian batters while defending a big total.

“The Australian batters played well; one big innings turned the match. We made some mistakes in the first match, but we will try not to repeat them and will bounce back against Afghanistan,” he concluded

READ: Even India’s B team would give Pakistan a tough challenge: Sunil Gavaskar

Former India legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the Pakistan team following their disappointing performance and early ouster from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

During a recent interview, Gavaskar highlighted Pakistan’s bench strength and stated that even a second-string Indian team will defeat Pakistan.

“I think a B team from India can certainly give Pakistan a tough fight. A C team, I’m not too sure, but a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form.”

“Pakistan has talented players, but they haven’t been able to build a strong backup. It’s surprising that they have struggled to produce batters like Inzamam-ul-Haq,” said Gavaskar.

He further compared the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Pakistan Super League and lamented the absence of top-quality players.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

“The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is being played domestically, yet it hasn’t yielded enough top-quality batters,” he said.

“How has India produced so many young stars? It’s because of the IPL. Players from there have gone on to play domestic cricket and eventually for India. That is something Pakistan must analyze,” he added.

Sunil Gavaskar further criticized the Pakistan batters’ lack of intent during the game against India.

“Mohammad Rizwan hit the first ball of his innings for a four, and I thought we were in for something different.”

“However, the batters soon started blocking deliveries instead of rotating the strike. The Indian spinners completed their overs quickly, and it was surprising that Pakistan’s batters didn’t show any urgency,” he observed.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For the unversed, the hosts and defending champions, Pakistan, were eliminated after losing their first two matches against New Zealand and India, respectively.

New Zealand beat the Green Shirts comprehensively in the Champions Trophy opener by 60 runs.

After their defeat against the Black Caps, Pakistan lost against arch-rivals India courtesy of a master class from Virat Kohli, who smashed an unbeaten century, chasing a modest total of 241 runs in Dubai.

READ: Champions Trophy: Australia-South Africa match called off due to rain

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has made it clear that his team is focused on delivering a strong performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against England, scheduled to be played in Lahore on 26 February.

Reflecting on Afghanistan’s famous win over England in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shahidi acknowledged the significance of that match but stressed that it’s now a thing of the past.

“We played a great game against England in 2023, but that is history now. We will take the field with a fresh mindset and new preparations,” he stated.

With discussions around Afghanistan’s semifinal chances heating up, Shahidi dismissed any external noise, asserting that only performance on the field will determine their fate.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

“No matter what people say, nothing changes. If we want to reach the semifinals, we have to put in the hard work on the field,” he added.

Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted that the conditions in Karachi did not favour their spinners. However, he remains hopeful that the Lahore pitch will offer more assistance.

“Our spinners didn’t get much help in Karachi, but we are hopeful that conditions in Lahore will be in our favour,” he said.

Afghanistan’s coaching setup includes Pakistan legend Younis Khan, and Shahidi highlighted the immense value his presence brings to the team.

“Younis Khan is a legend, and we are trying to benefit from his experience. When he speaks, everyone listens,” Shahidi remarked.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Afghan captain believes Younis’ deep understanding of Pakistan’s pitches and conditions can be a game-changer for the team.

“He has played a lot of cricket in Pakistan, and he knows these pitches and grounds well. We will try to use that knowledge to our advantage,” he added.

Looking ahead to the England game, Shahidi expressed confidence in his batting unit, reminding everyone that Afghanistan’s lineup has shown its strength in the past.

“If we look at the past, our team has put up strong batting performances. I believe we still have a solid batting lineup,” he concluded.

READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Toss of Australia-South Africa clash delayed due to rain

The much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi has been hit by rain, delaying the toss that was originally scheduled for 1:30 PM today.

With showers expected to continue in intervals throughout the day, the weather is likely to play a role in the contest.

As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Rawalpindi is in for a cloudy and cool day, with intermittent afternoon showers keeping the conditions tricky.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The forecast suggests a 64% chance of rain, with approximately 0.10 inches of precipitation expected over a two-hour period.

While thunderstorms are not on the radar, complete cloud cover (100%) is expected. For now, the ground staff have the pitch well covered as they wait for a window of clear skies.

Australia and South Africa teams come into this game riding high on momentum, having secured wins in their opening matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

Australia started their campaign with a stunning chase against England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. England had set a record-breaking Champions Trophy total of 351/8, powered by Ben Duckett’s incredible 165 off 143 balls.

However, the Aussies responded in a dominant fashion, hunting down the target in 47.3 overs with Josh Inglis smashing a blistering 120 off 86.

South Africa, on the other hand, made a strong statement with a 107-run win over Afghanistan. The Proteas racked up 315/6, thanks to a well-constructed century from Ryan Rickelton.

Captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram chipped in with crucial fifties, setting up a dominant total before bowling out Afghanistan for 208.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar calls Babar Azam ‘fraud’ after Champions Trophy elimination

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Babar Azam, calling him a “fraud” following the national team’s defeat to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash on Sunday.

Babar and Virat are frequently compared within the cricket community due to their similar batting techniques, however, Akhtar slammed the comparisons between the two players.

Speaking on a TV show, Akhtar questioned Babar’s choice of role models, contrasting it with Kohli’s admiration for the great Sachin Tendulkar.

“We often hear comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. But let me ask you, who is Virat Kohli’s hero? It’s Sachin Tendulkar, a man with 100 international centuries, and Kohli is chasing that legacy,” Akhtar stated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Shoaib Akhtar then took a dig at Babar Azam, implying that the star batter’s mindset and influences were flawed, labeling him as a fraud.

“Who is Babar Azam’s role model? Let’s not name any cricketer but you’ve chosen the wrong role models. Your thought process is wrong. You were a fraud from the beginning,” he added.

Babar, under immense scrutiny already, had a forgettable outing in the high-stakes encounter against India. He managed only 23 runs off 26 balls, despite striking five boundaries, before falling cheaply.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

Pakistan set a below-par target of 241, which India chased down comfortably in 42.3 overs, winning by six wickets.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar also showered praise on Kohli, who once again rose to the occasion against Pakistan with a match-winning century.

“When Virat Kohli plays against Pakistan, you just know he’s going to get a hundred. He’s a modern-day legend, a white-ball run machine! There’s no debate about his greatness. I’m genuinely happy for him—he deserves all the accolades he gets,” he concluded.

READ: Salman Butt slams Pakistan cricket team after defeat to India