It has been a while since we had a Champions Trophy, right?
Why has there been such a long gap?
From its beginning in 1998, the tournament was played every two years until 2009. After that, it moved to a four -year cycle. India was supposed to organize the 2021 edition, but was replaced by the T20 World Cup, which was finally played in the EAU.
So Pakistan are the hosts this time?
Yes, but there is more. Since India refused to travel to Pakistan, the PCB opted for a hybrid model with the Indian matches that will be held in Dubai. That decision was reached after a long alley. Pakistan’s leg will be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore is experiencing significant improvements and renewals, almost running against time. Its preparation will be tested during the Tri-series, which involves Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, just before the Champions Trophy.
Where will the opening ceremony be held then?
The PCB will organize an event in Lahore on February 16 to mark the beginning of the tournament. However, there will not be a meeting of captains or press conference, for logistics reasons. This also ends the speculations about whether the captain of India Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan or not.
But why don’t India go to Pakistan when everyone else is?
Due to political tension between the two countries. Even the officials of the Indian parties do not travel to Pakistan. The last time India visited Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup, although Pakistan has played several CPI tournaments in India since then, including the ODI 2023 World Cup. Before the Champions Trophy, the two boards and the CPI They reached an agreement that until 2027, even Pakistan’s matches in an ICC tournament organized in India would be played in a neutral place.
When was the last time an ICC tournament in Pakistan was held?
For that, you will have to return to 1996, when Pakistan co-organized the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan was supposed to receive the Champions Trophy in 2008. But due to security concerns, the tournament was finally played in South Africa in 2009.
Is India playing Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025?
Yes, they are in the same group and will face February 23, Sunday in Dubai. Unlike world drinks, where India has a 15-1 face to face record, things have been much closer in the Champions Trophy, with Pakistan leading 3-2.
How many teams do all do?
Eight, the same as the 2017 edition. The only difference is that Afghanistan has described before Sri Lanka this time. The equipment is divided into two groups. Group A has India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Group B of South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England. You can find all the squads here.
How did the participants decided?
Being the hosts, Pakistan said the automatic rating. The other seven teams decided on the basis of the ODI 2023 World Cup classification. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, which ended ninth and tenth, the cuts were lost.
What happened to Western Indies?
Since the western Indies had not described for the 2023 World Cup, they could not compete for the Champions Trophy. It was the same case for Zimbabwe and Ireland, the other missing full members.
What is the format for the Champions Trophy?
Each team will play with their groupmates once. After that, the two best teams of each group will qualify for the semifinals, with A1 playing B2 and B1 playing A2.
If India qualifies, they will play their semifinal in Dubai on March 4, regardless of their position in the points table. Similarly, if Pakistan qualifies, they will play their semifinal in Lahore on March 5.
The final will be played on March 9 in Lahore, unless India does it there. In that case, the place will be once again Dubai.
What will happen if a game ends in a draw?
All matches tied throughout the tournament will be decided through the Super Over. If the Super is also tied, then subsequent supervisions will be played until there is a winner.
Is there a reserve day for knockout matches?
Yes, the two semifinals and the final have a reserve day. But each attempt will be made to finish the game on the scheduled day. If that is not possible, the game will resume on the day of the reserve from where it stopped.
In the elimination matches, the batting team in second place should have the opportunity to play at least 25 overs, instead of 20 in the group stage, so that the result is decided through the DLS method.
What happens if there is still a washing?
In case of a not result in the semifinals, the team that ended higher in the group stage will proceed to the final. If the final is washed, the trophy will be shared.
Has there ever joint winners?
Yes, India and the hosts Sri Lanka shared the trophy in 2002 after the final was dragged. There was a reserve day in its place, but, according to the game conditions at that time, the game was played again. In both days, Sri Lanka hit first and played his 50 complete overs, but the rain did not allow more than ten overs in the second tickets on any of the occasions.
What are some of the key things that I need to know about the teams?
Australia enters the tournament as World Odi champions, but his Captain Pat Cummins, the rapid bowling player Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh SUV have been discarded with injuries. Marcus Stainis has also retired. Australia has until February 12 to name its replacements.
India will wait for Rohit and Virat Kohli to be good after the low returns in the trial cricket lately. Pakistan has remembered Fakhar Zaman, the game player in the last last time, and England has done the same with Joe Root, while Bangladesh has set aside Shakib to Hasan and Litton Das. New Zealand will play its first low global tournament Mitchell Santner.
Finally, where can I see the games?
Depending on your location, you can see the games according to the following.
Afghanistan – Ariana TV Australia – Video Prime Bangladesh – Nagorik TV and T Sports England – Pak Gazette India – Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar New Zealand – Sky Sport Pakistan – PTV, to Sports and Tapmad South Africa – Supersport Sri Lanka – Star Sports Network EAU – STARZ ON USA – Willow TV
As always, ESSPCRICINFO will have total coverage, from scores, news and characteristics to analysis and opinions of experts.
