Tag: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has slammed the decision to promote star batter Babar Azam to play as an opener ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

His comments came in the wake of Pakistan’s thumping five-wicket loss in the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand at the newly renovated National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

Basit Ali, while speaking on his YouTube channel, stated that winning the tri-nation would have boosted the confidence of the squad going into the mega-event.

“If Pakistan had won the tri-nation series, the confidence level of every player would have been high,” he said.

“Winning this tri-nation series could have boosted morale. Now, what will be your confidence level? Cricket is a game of confidence, and if that is shaken, you are left behind.”

The former batter then criticised the decision to open the innings with Babar, despite the right-hander’s exceptional record at number three.

“Who advised Babar Azam to open the innings? I am surprised by this decision,” Basit questioned.

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“What kind of thinking is this? He was performing well at number three, scoring 50-70 runs against South Africa, but they changed his position.

“Now, just 62 runs in three matches in the tri-series. This is the approach and mindset of the management.”

Basit Ali also opened up on the comparison of Babar Azam with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.

“They say even Sachin opened the innings and scored a century in his first match in Sri Lanka. But you removed Babar from No. 3, where he was excelling, and now you’ve destroyed his rhythm,” he said.

For the unversed, Babar’s performance in this new role has been underwhelming, with low scores of 10, 23 and 29 in the recently concluded tri-nation ODI series.

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: ‘Mind-boggling decision,’ Pakistan cricketer questions Faheem’s selection over Hasnain

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the prize money for the upcoming Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan.

The return of the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time since 2017 will see eight teams compete for the prize money of a whopping $2.24 million (USD).

The runners-up will receive $1.12 million, while each losing semi-finalist will take home $560,000. The total prize pool has increased by an impressive 53 percent from the 2017 edition, reaching $6.9 million.

At the Champions Trophy, every match will matter as each group stage win is worth over $34,000 for the victorious team. Teams finishing in fifth or sixth place will receive $350,000 each, while the seventh and eighth-placed sides will take home $140,000.

Additionally, all eight teams will receive a guaranteed $125,000 each for participating at the event.

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This tournament marks the first time Pakistan will host an ICC event since 1996. The 2025 edition features eight teams split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy will be held every four years, featuring the world’s top eight ODI teams, while the Women’s Champions Trophy will debut in 2027 in a T20 format.

“The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 represents a pivotal moment for cricket, reviving a tournament that highlights the pinnacle of ODI talent, where every match is critical,” said ICC Chairman Jay Shah.

“The substantial prize pot underscores the ICC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the sport and maintaining the global prestige of our events.”

“Beyond the financial incentive, this tournament ignites fierce competition, captivates fans worldwide, and plays a vital role in fostering the growth and long-term sustainability of cricket for future generations.”

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed recalls advice to players for Champions Trophy 2017 final

Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel has backed the Afghanistan cricket team to surprise the world during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to commence on 19 February in Pakistan.

Patel, during a media interaction, stated that Afghanistan could be the dark horse of the mega event while predicting the final four teams.

“There’ll be India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia just given the record in the ICC trophies,” said Patel.

“But my dark horse is Afghanistan. They’ve got they’ve played really good cricket in the 50-over format.

“It was just that Glenn Maxwell’s innings otherwise I think they were right there in the race to reach the semifinals [of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023]. So you know Afghanistan could come in and surprise all other teams.”

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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.

Afghanistan will kick off their campaign with a clash against South Africa at Karachi’s newly renovated National Bank Stadium on February 21, before they face England and Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

For the unversed, Afghanistan’s performance in white-ball cricket has been strong recently — finishing sixth in the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semi-final in last year’s T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

READ: Babar Azam eyes major milestone in tri-nation series final against New Zealand

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the three Shaheens squads that will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches in the build-up to the main event, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March.

For the 14 February match against Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan Shaheens will be captained by Shadab Khan, with Mansoor Amjad serving as coach-cum-manager.

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Meanwhile, for the 17 February match against South Africa at National Stadium, Mohammad Hurraira will lead the side, with Ijaz Ahmed Junior as coach-cum-manager.

On the same day (17 February) in Dubai, Pakistan Shaheens will face Bangladesh, with Mohammad Haris as captain and Umar Gul as coach-cum-manager.

Pakistan Shaheens squads

vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Arafat Minhas, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Kashif Ali, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir Khan, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Muhammad Irfan Khan

vs South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi – Mohammad Huraira (captain), Amad Butt, Faisal Akram, Hassan Nawaz, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram and Saad Khan

vs Bangladesh, ICC Academy, Dubai – Mohammad Haris (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Azan Awais, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Moqim and Usama Mir

Schedule of matches featuring Pakistan Shaheens:

14 February – vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium (1400-2130)

17 February – vs South Africa, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)

17 February – vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy (1400-2130)

Other Champions Trophy warm-up matches:

16 February – New Zealand v Afghanistan, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)

READ: Mohammad Rizwan backs struggling Babar Azam to bounce back

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) named former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 ambassador on Wednesday.

Sarfaraz joined the elusive list of ambassadors for the mega-event, including India’s Shikhar Dhawan, New Zealand’s Tim Southee and Australia’s Shane Watson.

“With a week to go until the first ball is bowled in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the lineup of Event Ambassadors that will feature to add to the fan experience,” ICC stated in a press release.

“Pakistan’s 2017 winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed features in an all-star cast that also boasts two-time champion, Australia’s Shane Watson, Player of the Series in India’s 2013 trophy-winning campaign, Shikhar Dhawan, and New Zealand’s legendary fast bowler, Tim Southee.

“With a wealth of experience in the Champions Trophy, over the course of the coming weeks, the lineup will provide fans with unrivalled insights into the competition through guest columns and match attendance, sharing their thoughts on what promises to be a thrilling event, where the world’s best eight teams will compete for the iconic white jackets.”

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Sarfaraz Ahmed shared that wearing the iconic white jacket after winning the Champions Trophy 2017 was special.

“I will never forget how special it felt to don the white jackets and lift the trophy aloft as Pakistan captain back in 2017,” said Sarfaraz.

“Seeing the nation get behind us and celebrate that success is also something that’s very close to my heart, so I am delighted to see the competition return to the cricket calendar and see my country given the opportunity to host such a special event.

“The format means that every game is so important, and I can’t wait to play my part as an Ambassador and witness the tournament first-hand.”

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan expressed his excitement to be part of the Champions Trophy 2025 as an ambassador.

“It is such a special feeling to be part of a Champions Trophy, and to be given the opportunity to enjoy the upcoming edition as an Ambassador is an honour,” Dhawan stated.

“Over the next few weeks, we’ll see the best sides in the world competing for the white jackets knowing that one mistake or one loss could spell the end of their hopes.

“It’s the ultimate competition where it’s all on the line, and that is what makes it such a thrilling spectacle.”

READ: Afghanistan spinner ruled out of Champions Trophy, replacement named

KABUL: Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharote as the replacement for the injured spinner AM Ghazanfar in their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The 18-year-old spinner, who made a bright start to his ODI career, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 because of a “fracture in the L4 vertebra”.

The country’s cricket board took to their official X (formerly Twitter) account to announce the unfortunate news.

“Afghanistan’s young spin-bowling sensation, AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis,” ACB posted.

“He sustained the injury during Afghanistan’s recently held tour Zimbabwe and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period.

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“Nangyal Kharoti, who was part of the reserves pool, has been promoted to the main squad for the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s continues to miss the ODI action, until he has fully recovered.”

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.

Afghanistan will kick off their campaign with a clash against South Africa at Karachi’s newly renovated National Bank Stadium on February 21, before they face England and Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

For the unversed, Afghanistan’s performance in white-ball cricket has been strong recently — finishing sixth in the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semi-final in last year’s T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

READ: Key player withdraws from Champions Trophy as Australia name revamped squad

LAHORE: The Afghanistan squad reached here on Wednesday to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on 19 February.

The squad will take a rest to freshen up today before hitting the nets tomorrow to fine-tune their preparation for their maiden Champions Trophy campaign.

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.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Afghanistan will kick off their campaign with a clash against South Africa at Karachi’s newly renovated National Bank Stadium on February 21, before they face England and Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

For the unversed, Afghanistan’s performance in white-ball cricket has been strong recently — finishing sixth in the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023 and reaching the semi-final in last year’s T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan beat England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

READ: Key player withdraws from Champions Trophy as Australia name revamped squad

KARACHI: The newly renovated National Stadium was inaugurated in a glittering ceremony here on Tuesday ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Representing President Asif Ali Zardari at the ceremony, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori jointly inaugurated the newly upgraded National Bank Stadium.

The event was also attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, national team, former cricketers and several other dignitaries.

The star-studded opening ceremony will feature renowned national singers Shafqat Amanat Ali, Ali Zafar, and Sahir Ali Bagga.

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The stadium’s construction, which took four months, now features world-class facilities for players and spectators. A new pavilion — the University Road End — was also officially opened.

The new pavilion includes world-class dressing rooms for players and match officials, complemented by high-quality hospitality rooms.

The PCB released an official statement regarding the constructing and upgrading the National Stadium in Karachi.

“Developed in a record time of around four months, the facility underscores the dedication and efficiency behind the stadium’s rapid transformation,” the cricket board said in an official statement.

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.

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 host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each venue will feature three group games, 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. India will play in three group matches, and the first semi-final will be played in Dubai.

READ: Pakistan selection committee shortlists candidates to replace injured Haris Rauf

Australia captain Steve Smith admitted on Tuesday that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would be on their minds when they play Sri Lanka in two ODIs this week.

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.

Australia are placed in a group with England, South Africa and Afghanistan.

Prior to that Australia will face Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday and Friday, fresh from a dominant 2-0 Test series sweep.

“I’d be lying if I said the Champions Trophy wasn’t at the forefront of our minds — it’s a massive ICC tournament for us,” Steve Smith told reporters in Colombo.

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“While our focus is firmly on finishing this series on a strong note, there is no denying that the Champions Trophy is looming large. We want to make sure we carry good form into that competition.”

Both ODIs will be played as day games, a rarity in modern cricket. The floodlights in Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium are out of action as part of renovations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted with India.

“Day games are quite different,” Smith said, adding he couldn’t remember his last ODI day match. “But whatever the conditions, it’s going to be warm out there, and we’re looking forward to the challenge”.

Before coming to Sri Lanka, Australia held a training camp in Dubai to prepare for “challenging wickets” in Sri Lanka, said Smith.

“The batters found methods to succeed in these conditions, the spinners worked on varying their pace, and the seamers fine-tuned their reverse swing,” he said. “We hope to bring all that into this series and finish well.”

READ: Hanif Mohammad to be posthumously inducted into PCB Hall of Fame

The trophy tour of the glittering ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tour is in full swing, with the prestigious silverware making its way across Karachi.

As part of its journey, the trophy was taken to Indus Hospital, where young cancer patients had the opportunity to see it up close. The children were thrilled to pose with the trophy, capturing memorable moments.

The gleaming Champions Trophy also made a stop at a private school in Karachi yesterday, where students got the chance to witness it firsthand.

Former Pakistan pacer Rumman Raees, a member of the victorious 2017 Champions Trophy squad, was also present at the event.

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Excitement among students was evident, with many expressing confidence in Pakistan’s chances of retaining the title.

“We are the defending champions, and this trophy belongs in Pakistan,” they said. Others voiced their support for skipper Mohammad Rizwan, stating, “We have full faith in our captain.”

The global trophy tour will conclude in Karachi on 14 February. The opening match of the mega-event is set to take place between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand on 19 February.

The global trophy tour ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 began in Pakistan on 16 November after which the trophy was taken to the seven participating countries from 26 November to 26 January.

READ: Kane Williamson surpasses Virat Kohli to achieve THIS ODI milestone