Tag: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday released an exciting video showcasing the ongoing renovations of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

The video highlights the massive overhaul undertaken under the leadership of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who played a hands-on role in ensuring the stadium’s refurbishment was completed within five months.

From the installation of brand-new seats to the addition of state-of-the-art facilities, the footage offers a glimpse of the stadium’s modernized look.

One of the most striking features shown in the video is the upgraded floodlight towers, now equipped with new bulbs that promise to illuminate the ground like never before.

Additionally, the installation of two digital screens, one of which has been completed, is set to enhance the fan experience during matches.

The video also reveals the finishing touches being applied to the stands, which are expected to provide a more comfortable and vibrant atmosphere for spectators.

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The professional redesign aims to make Gaddafi Stadium comparable to the world’s best cricket venues, ensuring an unmatched experience for fans, players, media personnel, and officials.

Gaddafi Stadium will first host a tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa before the Champions Trophy kicks off on February 19.

The clash between England and Australia on February 22 will be the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: National Stadium enclosures to be named after modern-day stars

England captain Jos Buttler stated that his side’s match against Afghanistan at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 should go ahead after calls for a boycott over the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.

A group of more than 160 British politicians have written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) calling for England not to play the match against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26.

Since returning to power in 2021 the Taliban have effectively banned the participation of women in both sports as well as broader public life.

That puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) at odds with the rules of the governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC).

However, Jos Buttler said sports and politics should be kept separate.

“Political situations like this, as a player you’re trying to be as informed as you can be,” he told reporters ahead of the first T20 against India in Kolkata on Wednesday.

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“The experts know a lot more about it, so I’ve been trying to stay in dialogue with Rob Key (managing director of ECB) and the guys above to see how they see it.

“I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it,” he added.

“Certainly as a player, you don’t want political situations to affect sport. We hope to go to the Champions Trophy and play that game and have a really good tournament.”

The ECB has resisted calls for a boycott, with chief executive Richard Gould saying instead he would “actively advocate” for collective action by the ICC instead.

The ICC has allowed the Afghanistan men’s team to keep competing in global competitions.

England are clubbed with Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa in the group phase of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.

READ: BCCI clears the air on removing Pakistan’s name from Champions Trophy jersey

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Wednesday that the national team’s jersey for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will prominently feature the official tournament logo, along with the name of the host nation, Pakistan.

According to Indian media, an official from the BCCI has confirmed the development, stating that the cricket board will adhere to all International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines regarding the tournament’s regulations.

It’s worth noting that previously the ICC on Tuesday also issued a clarification following reports from Indian media stating that the BCCI has decided to omit Pakistan’s name from the jersey of Team India for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

Sources within the ICC clarified that it is a mandatory requirement for all participating teams to display the tournament’s official logo on their kits, which includes the host nation’s name.

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“It is the responsibility of every team to add the tournament logo to their jerseys. All teams are obligated to comply with this rule,” an ICC source stated.

Traditionally, it is standard practice for teams participating in ICC events to sport the name of the host country on their jerseys as a part of the tournament branding, even when the actual matches are held in a different location.

It’s worth noting that India will play all their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will be played across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi in Pakistan.

The final is scheduled in Lahore on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

The Men In Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. They will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.

READ: Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali return to top ten in ICC Test Rankings

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has recently revealed his favorites to win the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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.

It’s worth noting that India will play all their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will be played across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi in Pakistan.

The final is scheduled in Lahore on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Sourav Ganguly, in a recent interview, picked India as favorites to win the Champions Trophy, owing to their strong performances in the recent ICC events.

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“I think India is one of the contenders in the Champions Trophy, especially after their performances in the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup,” said Ganguly.

The former captain noted India’s recent struggles in red-ball cricket but emphasized that they remain a dominant force in white-ball cricket.

“But Test cricket is something they will need to work on, particularly when playing away from home. Rohit, in white-ball cricket, is phenomenal. You will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts,” he added.

The Men In Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. They will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja

*Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad is subject to his fitness.

READ: ICC responds to removal of Pakistan’s name from India’s Champions Trophy jersey

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns about the absence of key batters from the national team’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

While there has been a lot of criticism on the Indian selection panel for snubbing several players who have performed in domestic cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin has lamented the absence of left-handers in the top seven batters.

“This template mirrors the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill open, both right-handed,” said Ashwin in an interview.

“Then there’s Virat Kohli [at number three]. Shreyas Iyer will likely bat at 4, given his strong performance in the World Cup.

“KL Rahul follows. At No. 6, it’s a choice between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Hardik occupies No. 7.”

According to Ashwin, India’s likely Playing XI for the Champions Trophy 2025 lacks the left-right combination.

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“We lack left-handed batters in the top seven. Outside the XI, we have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant,” said Ashwin.

The former cricketer urged to utilise the form Jaiswal carried through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and make him open with Rohit Sharma in the Champions Trophy 2025.

“Jaiswal might only play if someone gets injured,” he further stated. “He could have a chance against England. But what if he scores consecutive centuries?”

“One option is to open with Jaiswal and Rohit, pushing Shubman to 3, followed by Virat at 4. This would place either Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul at 5.

“If Jaiswal plays, Shreyas Iyer would likely be dropped. While unlikely, India must capitalise on Jaiswal’s current form.”

The Men In Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. They will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja

*Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad is subject to his fitness.

READ: ICC responds to removal of Pakistan’s name from India’s Champions Trophy jersey

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has firmly denied reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen to remove the name of the host nation, Pakistan, from their jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Sources within the ICC clarified that it is a mandatory requirement for all participating teams to display the tournament’s official logo on their kits, which includes the host nation’s name.

“It is the responsibility of every team to add the tournament logo to their jerseys. All teams are obligated to comply with this rule,” an ICC source stated.

The ICC issued a clarification following reports from Indian media stating that the BCCI has decided to omit Pakistan’s name from the jersey of Team India for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC further asserted that any team failing to display the logo on their jerseys would be subject to strict action.

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Traditionally, it is standard practice for teams participating in ICC events to sport the name of the host country on their jerseys as a part of the tournament branding, even when the actual matches are held in a different location.

On the other hand, the sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also rejected these claims, terming them baseless, while confirming that no official from the board has spoken to any Indian news agency regarding this matter.

This clarification comes amidst ongoing tensions between the PCB and BCCI, with accusations of politicizing cricket.

Previously, the government of India had decided against sending its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

This refusal ultimately compelled the International Cricket Council (ICC) to adopt a hybrid model, a compromise that allows India to play its matches in Dubai.

READ: James Vince calls out ECB over NOC policy for franchise cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly made the decision to omit the name of the host nation, Pakistan, from the national cricket team’s jersey for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The recent decision has sparked yet another wave of controversy, intensifying the already tumultuous cricketing relationship between the two nations.

Previously, the government of India had decided against sending its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

This refusal ultimately compelled the International Cricket Council (ICC) to adopt a hybrid model, a compromise that allows India to play its matches in Dubai.

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Traditionally, it is standard practice for teams participating in ICC events to sport the name of the host country on their jerseys as a part of the tournament branding, even when the actual matches are held in a different location.

For instance, during the T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan’s jerseys prominently featured India’s name, despite the tournament’s rescheduling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Yet, despite this long-standing custom, the BCCI has firmly opted not to include Pakistan’s name on the Champions Trophy jersey of Team India.

This situation has reportedly left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) feeling exasperated and seeking intervention from the ICC to help untangle this diplomatic knot.

“BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan,” a PCB official stated.

“They don’t want to send their captain [to Pakistan] for the opening ceremony, and now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s name printed on their jersey.

“We believe that the world governing body [ICC] will not let this happen and will support Pakistan.”

READ: Sunil Gavaskar names his favorites for Champions Trophy 2025

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has issued a bold statement about his ambitions for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

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.

It’s worth noting that India will play all their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will be played across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi in Pakistan.

The final is scheduled in Lahore on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Rohit Sharma, during the Golden Jubilee anniversary celebrations of Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, expressed his resolve to bring the coveted trophy to the venue after winning the tournament.

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“We will try our best. I’m sure that the wishes of 140 crore Indians will be behind us when we land in Dubai for the Champions Trophy,” Rohit Sharma said.

“We will try to do well and bring the Champions Trophy 2025 to the Wankhede Stadium (once we win)”

It is worth noting here that India, led by Virat Kohli, entered the Champions Trophy 2017 edition as defending champions, having won the 2013 edition under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. However, they were defeated by arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.

The Men In Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. They will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja

*Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad is subject to his fitness.

READ: James Vince calls out ECB over NOC policy for franchise cricket

India captain Rohit Sharma has defended the decision to include four spinners in the squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

India revealed their provisional squad for the eight-team event on 18 January, including four spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.

There were concerns about the fitness of Yadav, who had been out of action since his hernia surgery in November, however, he was still named in the India squad.

The announcement was made during a press conference, where skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the media. Speaking about the spinners’ roles, Rohit highlighted their importance in adding depth to both the batting and bowling departments.

“The spinners give us depth when we have spinning all-rounders. While we don’t have many seaming all-rounders, these players bring quality in both batting and bowling,” said Sharma.

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“Sundar, Jadeja, and Axar are proper all-rounders, not just spin-bowling all-rounders.”

The 37-year-old skipper expressed satisfaction with the spinners’ past performances and their adaptability to various roles.

“These players are not selected just to fill a spot as batters or bowlers. They’ve performed in key situations, and the team is confident in their abilities,” he added.

“Having this depth with quality spin options is always beneficial.”

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja

*Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad is subject to his fitness.

READ: Sunil Gavaskar names his favorites for Champions Trophy 2025

Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has recently revealed his favorites to win the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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.

It’s worth noting that India will play all their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will be played across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi in Pakistan.

The final is scheduled in Lahore on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

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Sunil Gavaskar, during an interview, named Pakistan as the favorites, highlighting their home advantage as a major factor.

“The tag of favourites should be given to the home team Pakistan as it’s not easy to beat any team in their home conditions,” Gavaskar said.

The legendary batter cited India’s example of their dominant performance in the home ODI World Cup in 2023, where they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament before losing to Australia in the final.

“India lost in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 but before that, they put up clinical performances and won ten matches on the trot,” he mentioned.

“Hence, I feel Pakistan are the favourites for the upcoming tournament.”

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