The ICC Champions Trophy was once a premier cricket tournament, delivering thrilling One Day International (ODI) action to fans worldwide. However, the tournament was discontinued after the 2017 edition, leaving many cricket enthusiasts wondering why the ICC Champions Trophy stopped after 2017. Now, after eight years, it’s making a grand comeback in 2025, with Pakistan set to host the event from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Let’s explore why the tournament was discontinued, why it’s returning, and everything we know about the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Why the ICC Champions Trophy Stopped After 2017?
The Champions Trophy was discontinued after the 2017 edition for several reasons:
- Focus on T20 Format
The ICC decided to shift its focus to the expanding T20 format, which was growing rapidly in popularity. The ICC believed that hosting more T20 World Cups would attract new fans and grow the sport globally. - Scheduling Conflicts
The ICC calendar was getting crowded with multiple international tournaments. The Champions Trophy, being another 50-over tournament, clashed with the ODI World Cup. To avoid an overlap of formats, the ICC chose to prioritize the ODI World Cup as the marquee 50-over event. - Financial Viability
The ICC also considered the financial aspect of running the tournament. The Champions Trophy, though popular, didn’t generate as much revenue compared to the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup. This led to the decision to shelve the Champions Trophy after 2017.
Despite these reasons, the demand for ODI cricket remains strong, and the Champions Trophy is now making a highly anticipated return in 2025.
The Return of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be hosted by Pakistan, marking a historic milestone for the country. This will be the first major ICC event held in Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The tournament will feature eight top-ranked teams competing in a short and intense format, with a total of 15 matches played across 19 days.
Tournament Format
- Dates: February 19 to March 9, 2025
- Teams: 8 (divided into two groups of four)
- Matches: 15
- Venues: Multiple venues across Pakistan
The format is simple: Each team will play against the other teams in their group, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, followed by the grand final.
Venues and Security Measures in Pakistan
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pulling out all the stops to ensure the successful hosting of the tournament. The matches will be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with robust security measures in place to protect players and fans.
Neutral Venue for India-Pakistan Matches
Due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the matches involving India will be held at a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is likely to host these high-voltage encounters, ensuring that fans don’t miss out on the intense India vs. Pakistan rivalry.
Controversy: Afghanistan’s Participation in Question
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is already facing controversy over Afghanistan’s participation. Several cricket boards, including South Africa and over 160 UK politicians, have called for a boycott of matches against Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports in the country.
Despite this, Afghanistan remains one of the eight participating teams, and it will be interesting to see how this situation develops.
Squads Announced for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
As the tournament draws near, some teams have already announced their squads. Here’s a look at the confirmed squads so far:
Australia Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Pat Cummins
- Alex Carey
- Nathan Ellis
- Aaron Hardie
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Mitchell Marsh
- Glenn Maxwell
- Matt Short
- Steve Smith
- Mitchell Starc
- Marcus Stoinis
- Adam Zampa
South Africa Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Temba Bavuma
- Tony de Zorzi
- Marco Jansen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Lungi Ngidi
- Anrich Nortje
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Rassie van der Dussen
New Zealand Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Mitchell Santner
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Devon Conway
- Lockie Ferguson
- Matt Henry
- Tom Latham
- Daryl Mitchell
- Will O’Rourke
- Glenn Phillips
- Rachin Ravindra
- Ben Sears
- Nathan Smith
- Kane Williamson
- Will Young
Bangladesh Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Nazmul Hossain Shanto
- Soumya Sarkar
- Tanzid Hasan
- Tawhid Hridoy
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- MD Mahmud Ullah
- Jaker Ali Anik
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Rishad Hossain
- Taskin Ahmed
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Parvez Hossai Emon
- Nasum Ahmed
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib
- Nahid Rana
Afghanistan Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Ikram Alikhil
- Gulbadin Naib
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- AM Ghazanfar
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Farid Malik
- Naveed Zadran
India Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammad Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja.
Pakistan Squad (To Be Announced)
Host country Pakistan is yet to announce their squad. Given their cricketing pedigree, Pakistan team is expected to field star-studded line-ups.
England Squad (Announced)
- Captain: Jos Buttler
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Ben Duckett
- Jamie Overton
- Jamie Smith
- Liam Livingstone
- Adil Rashid
- Joe Root
- Saqib Mahmood
- Phil Salt
- Mark Wood
Key Dates and Venues
| Date | Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2025 | Group Stage Begins | Lahore, Pakistan |
| March 4, 2025 | Semi-Finals | Karachi, Pakistan |
| March 9, 2025 | Final | Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
India’s Group Stage Matches:
| Date | Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2025 | India vs Bangladesh | Dubai |
| February 23, 2025 | India vs Pakistan | Dubai |
| March 2, 2025 | India vs New Zealand | Dubai |
Why the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matters
The return of the Champions Trophy is a pivotal moment for international cricket. Here’s why:
- Revival of ODI Cricket
The Champions Trophy offers a short, high-stakes format that keeps fans engaged while showcasing the best of 50-over cricket. - A New Era for Pakistan Cricket
Hosting the tournament is a significant milestone for Pakistan, proving its ability to host world-class international events safely. - Renewed Rivalries
The Champions Trophy will reignite some of cricket’s most intense rivalries, including India vs. Pakistan, drawing millions of viewers globally.
Why Pakistan is delaying squad announcement?
One of the reason being discussed is key player injuries.
Who won last Champions trophy in 2017?
Pakistan won Champions Trophy in 2017 in final against India.
Who has won most number of Champions Trophy?
Both India and Australia has 2 titles in their name.
Conclusion: Why Fans Should Be Excited About the Champions Trophy 2025
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is shaping up to be an unmissable event, blending competitive cricket with geopolitical significance. After an eight-year gap, the tournament’s return reflects the continued importance of ODI cricket and gives fans the chance to witness iconic rivalries and new cricketing heroes.
With Pakistan as the host and squads being finalized, cricket lovers worldwide are eagerly anticipating the action-packed tournament.
Stay tuned on CricReport Champions Trophy Page more updates!