The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is just around the corner and whilst it does not have the prestige of the Cricket World Cup, it is still a prize that all the best 50-over nations in the world would love to win. It consists of a smaller field than the World Cup, with just the top eight sides in the world competing. This year’s tournament gets started on the 19th of February, 2025 and with just eight nations involved, the final will be on the 9th of March.
The last edition of the tournament was back in 2017 after the ICC decided to end it but then changed their mind and reinstated it. The first clash of this year’s 50-over feast will see hosts and defending champions from that 2017 contest, Pakistan, play against New Zealand in Karachi. The final will take place in Lahore… or possibly Dubai, but more on that shortly.
Who Is Playing?
The following eight nations will be competing for the trophy:
- Bangladesh
- India
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
There are some big names missing from this year’s tournament, with the West Indies failing to make the cut. They won this tournament in 2004 but did not qualify in 2017, but Sri Lanka, also absent in 2025, are missing out for the first time in their history. They won the Champions Trophy in 2002 and up until now were one of seven teams to have played in every tournament.
That seven now becomes six, with Bangladesh appearing for the sixth time in their history (best result: semis finals last time out in 2017). Afghanistan round out the eight, and this is their Champions Trophy debut, with the remaining six major nations ever present as far as this secondary ODI tournament is concerned.
Format and Fixtures to Look Out For
Teams one to four in the list above are in Group A, with teams five to eight in – you’ve guessed it – Group B. Each nation plays the other three in their group, giving us a total of 12 matches at this phase of proceedings. It is a very simple, standard format all round, with the winner of each group playing the side that finished second in the other one in the semi-finals, and the winner of those clashes meeting in the final.
Clearly, in an elite tournament like this, with only the best cricket-playing sides in the world involved, some very decent sides will be eliminated at the group phase. A case can be made for virtually any of these eight going all the way, with six of them priced at single-digit odds. Bangladesh are the real outsiders at 125/1, though some firms price them at 50/1, whilst the odds for a talented Afghan side causing a stir range between 18/1 and 30/1, indicating that they are far from no-hopers.
Ultimately who makes the semis and who doesn’t will possibly come down to one or two big moments in one or two games, and so things are very hard to call. In a 50-over clash one brilliant innings can turn the whole game on its head. This is not as exaggerated as it is in T20 cricket but even so, a very rapid 150, or conversely an excellent wicket-taking spell from a bowler, can all but decide a game. What’s more, with so many truly exceptional players on display, such individual brilliance is essentially guaranteed at some point.
Our Top Picks to Watch
Tournaments like this one are all killer, no filler; but even so, there are some games that really stand out above others, both in terms of their probable impact on who qualifies and also simply because of the rivalry between the teams. We could almost select any of the 12 group clashes, but these in particular should be marked very clearly in the diaries of any cricket fan.
- Pakistan v New Zealand, 19 February – The opening game is always a highlight
- Pakistan v India, 23 February – Dubai showdown could be most-watched of entire tournament
- Afghanistan v South Africa, 21 February – Afghanistan’s tournament debut
- Australia v England, 22 February – Cricket’s oldest rivalry might be a must-win for England
- Australia v South Africa, 25 February – These two have a tendency to produce some special game
What’s with Dubai?
Towards the end of 2024 India’s involvement in the tournament seemed to be in doubt as it became apparent they were unwilling, or even unable, to play in Pakistan. Tensions on and off the pitch have been high between these two nations forever basically, and without going into the politics and details of it all, India have not played in Pakistan since 2008. Moreover, the two have only played against one another in major tournaments since 2013.
The Indian cricket authorities stated that their government would not permit them to play in Pakistan, also arguing that security was a concern. Administrators in Pakistan were understandably unhappy and were understood to both reject a split-venue tournament and also to want compensation if India did not take part.
Compromise Agreed
Eventually a compromise of sorts was agreed between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This takes in further tournaments too, as far as 2027, and means that when either nation hosts a tournament (including in women’s cricket), games involving the other nation would be played at a neutral venue.
This means that whilst the Champions Trophy is taking place in Pakistan, as far as India is concerned, Dubai will be home. They will play all three of their group games there, including against Pakistan, whilst if they make the final, that too will be played in the United Arab Emirates. Otherwise, the final will be held in Lahore, with India’s semi also taking place in Dubai should they make it that far.
Do England Have a Chance?
England are the third-favourites according to the bookies, generally available at odds of 6/1, though 11/2 in places and 5/1 in others. But no, no they don’t have much of a chance at all. Of course, there’s always a small probability of any team prevailing, but England have been far from their best for a while and it would be a major surprise is they went all the way.