The confusion over hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan still looms. Reports emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board had agreed to host the tournament under a hybrid model, which had been suggested by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and was influenced by pressure from the International Cricket Council. Despite this development, there has been no official statement from the ICC or any of the involved parties confirming the details of the meetings or the timeline for the tournament schedule. This has left fans eagerly waiting for more clarity.
Star Sports Provides Some Clarity Amid Uncertainty
Although the ICC has yet to release an official announcement, Star Sports, the broadcasting partner for the tournament in India, has stepped in to ease fans’ concerns. The network recently launched an advertisement featuring prominent Indian players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, as well as players from other participating countries. The advertisement confirms that the tournament is on, with the Indian team confirmed to play in the competition. The promotional campaign also has a “coming soon” message, which means though the schedule is not out, the preparations for the event are already in full swing.
What Will Be Format Of Champions Trophy 2025?
Since its inception in the year 2009, the ICC Champions Trophy has come in a particular format – eight teams divided into two groups of four. Each group plays three round-robin matches, and the top teams from each group go for the semi-finals. These winners of the semi-final then play for the final contest. Though the format of the tournament is yet to be finalized for the 2025 version, there’s hardly a possibility of it altering the original setup at large, at least not after what happened the first time.
Teams Qualified For ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The 2025 version of the ICC Champions Trophy will have most of the world’s best teams, save for two former champions who are missing: West Indies and Sri Lanka. They didn’t make the cut in qualification. Below is the complete list of confirmed teams to play: Pakistan (Host), India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh.
