The ICC Champions Trophy returns after an eight-year hiatus, with defending champions Pakistan hosting the ninth edition of the prestigious tournament. The competition commences today, as Pakistan faces New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The 50-over tournament, which was last held in 2017, features eight teams, selected based on their rankings in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
This edition sees Afghanistan making their debut, while Sri Lanka, for the first time, failed to qualify.
1. Return after 8 years
The Champions Trophy makes its return after being absent from the cricketing calendar since 2017. Initially scrapped in favour of the World Test Championship (WTC), the ICC revived the event following the discontinuation of the WTC concept. Despite no tournament taking place in 2021, the ICC reintroduced the Champions Trophy in the international fixture list for 2025.
2. Pakistan to defend trophy
Pakistan enters the competition as defending champions, having defeated India by 180 runs in the 2017 final at The Oval in London. Much has changed for Pakistan since their maiden Champions Trophy victory. Mohammad Rizwan now leads the side, with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman being the only holdovers from their previous triumph.
3. First ICC tournament in Pakistan since 1996
Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996, when it co-hosted the World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka. The 2025 Champions Trophy marks the first global cricket tournament in the nation since the 2009 terrorist attack on the touring Sri Lankan team, which led to the ICC shifting that year’s Champions Trophy to South Africa.
4. India to play in UAE
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the Indian government did not grant permission for the team to travel to Pakistan. As a result, all of India’s matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates. This decision aligns with the ICC’s hybrid model, ensuring India and Pakistan do not play on each other's soil until 2027.
5. Afghanistan's debut
Afghanistan makes its first appearance in the Champions Trophy, having secured qualification by finishing sixth in the 2023 ODI World Cup league stage with four wins from nine matches. In contrast, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands missed the cut.
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6. Tournament format
The ICC has retained the format introduced in 2006. The eight teams are divided into two groups of four, with each team playing the others in their group once. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, followed by the final.
7. Potential farewell for Kohli and Rohit
Amid speculations surrounding the future of veteran Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, this edition of the Champions Trophy may be their final ODI tournament. While newly appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed his desire for the duo to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup, their diminishing form and the rise of younger talent suggest this could be their swan song in 50-over cricket.
8. Key absences due to injury
Injuries have plagued several teams ahead of the tournament. India faces a significant setback with the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Australia, meanwhile, is without five key players, including Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
As the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy unfolds, cricket enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely.
From Pakistan's title defence and Afghanistan's historic debut to the potential ODI farewell of two Indian cricketing stalwarts, the tournament promises to deliver drama and intrigue on and off the pitch.
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