DUBAI (Kashmir English): The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins on Wednesday with the world’s top eight teams competing in Pakistan and Dubai for the glittering trophy.
In what is being seen as a high-stakes tournament, three matches are being seen as highly explosive in the group phase of the 50-over tournament.
India v Pakistan
The two south-Asian neighbours meet in Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan-India match is worth-watching any time they battle it out, owing to the deep cricket rivalry between the two nations.
Tickets for the clash have already been sold out. More than 150,000 fans queued online to grab a seat in the 25,000-capacity stadium.
India refused to visit Pakistan for the event, forcing the latter to agree to partially relinquish hosting rights to Dubai after a long stand-off.
On the field, India are favourites to win the title for a third time, in what is expected to be the farewell for Rohit Sharma. Pakistan on the other hand, are unpredictable.
Australia v England
The Ashes rivals would clash in Lahore on Saturday.
World Cup holders Australia have had the upper hand against their old foes in recent 50-over encounters, also winning their previous series 3-2 last year.
But both sides have issues coming into the Champions Trophy.
Australia are without their “Big Three” pacemen — Josh Hazlewood (hip injury), Pat Cummins (ankle injury) and Mitchell Starc who has opted out for personal reasons.
Australia suffered a big 2-0 series defeat in Sri Lanka on the eve of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.
England were whitewashed 3-0 in India. Since winning the 2019 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup, the team have struggled in white-ball cricket.
Afghanistan v England
After being well beaten in India last week, England Skipper Jos Buttler insisted that England can be “dangerous” at the Champions Trophy, even if recent evidence suggests otherwise.
In white-ball cricket, Afghanistan have emerged as a rising force in recent years, rising to eighth in the ODI world rankings, one place below England.
The Afghans beat Australia in a historic quarter-final game at 2024’s T20 World Cup, before losing to South Africa.
The Champions Trophy
The tournament has been held eight times since 1998. But it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this edition, set to kick off tomorrow, will be the most multifaceted in history.
