ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The return of ‘Mini-World Cup’

A Tournament with a Rich Legacy

The ICC Champions Trophy, one of cricket’s most fiercely contested tournaments, has made a grand return, with the 2025 edition already underway. Originally introduced as the ICC Knockout in 1998, or popularly known as ‘Mini-World Cup,’ however, the tournament was rebranded in 2002 and continued biennially until 2009 before shifting to a four-year cycle.

However, after an eight-year hiatus following the 2017 edition, the tournament is back, much to the delight of cricket fans worldwide. Featuring the top eight teams in the ICC One-Day International (ODI) rankings, the competition remains an elite contest where only the best battle for supremacy. This edition is particularly significant as it marks the first ICC global tournament in Pakistan since 1996. Due to security concerns, matches involving India, including a potential semi-final and final, are being played in Dubai.

Tournament Format & Schedule

The Champions Trophy 2025 is taking place over two and a half weeks, running from February 19 to March 9. The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups of four. Each team plays three group-stage matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. The group-stage fixtures will conclude on March 2, with one match scheduled per day, all starting at 02:30 IST.

The semi-finals are set for March 4 and 5, while the grand finale will take place on March 9. The venue for the final is yet to be decided. If India qualify, the match will be hosted in Dubai; otherwise, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will have the honour.

Host Cities & Venues

Pakistan’s cricketing infrastructure has undergone significant upgrades to prepare for this prestigious event. Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore are serving as host cities, ensuring a grand return for international cricket to the country. However, due to ongoing political tensions, all matches involving India are being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Tournament Progress & Early Highlights

With the tournament now in full swing, fans have already witnessed thrilling encounters. India’s first match, played in Dubai, drew a massive viewership, highlighting the intense rivalry with Bangladesh and anticipation surrounding the event. Several players have already made their mark, with standout performances from top batsmen and bowlers shaping the early phases of the tournament.

Shubman Gill’s Unbeaten Century: In India’s opening match against Bangladesh, Shubman Gill anchored the innings with an unbeaten 101, leading to a six-wicket victory.

Ryan Rickelton’s Maiden ODI Century: South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton scored his first One-Day International century, amassing 103 runs off 106 balls against Afghanistan, contributing to a 107-run win.

Tom Latham and Will Young’s Historic Partnership: New Zealand’s Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107) both hit centuries in the tournament opener against Pakistan, leading their team to a commanding total of 320/5 and a subsequent 60-run victory. ​

Mohammed Shami’s Record-Breaking Performance: Indian pacer Mohammed Shami achieved a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh, becoming India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC ODI events with 60 wickets.

Notable Absentees & Squad Finalization

Teams had until February 12 to confirm their final squads. However, some major stars are missing the action due to injuries. Australia is without their captain Pat Cummins and seamer Mitchell Starc, while India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is also absent. England’s rising all-rounder Jacob Bethell and South Africa’s express pacer Anrich Nortje have been ruled out, altering team dynamics significantly.

A Look at the Champions Trophy’s Glorious Past

The Champions Trophy has been home to some of cricket’s most thrilling moments since its inception. Over the years, 13 different teams, including Kenya and the USA, have participated in the competition. This year, Afghanistan has become the 14th team to make an appearance in the tournament’s history. South Africa won the inaugural edition in 1998, which remains their only ICC trophy at the senior men’s level. New Zealand claimed their first-ever ICC title in 2000. The 2002 edition saw India and Sri Lanka declared co-champions after two rain-washed finals. West Indies emerged victorious in 2004, followed by Australia’s back-to-back triumphs in 2006 and 2009, making them the only team to successfully defend their title. India lifted the trophy in 2013, while Pakistan clinched their first Champions Trophy title in 2017.

Interesting Facts About the Champions Trophy

The tournament saw its first use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in 2009, revolutionizing how umpiring decisions were made. New Zealand’s Nathan Astle holds the record for the highest individual score in the tournament with an unbeaten 145 against the USA in 2004. Chris Gayle remains the highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history with 791 runs, while Kyle Mills leads the bowling charts with 28 wickets. Notably, no Indian or active player is in the top 10 wicket-takers list. Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof holds the record for the best bowling figures, with a stunning 6/14 against West Indies in 2006.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is famously known as the “Ring of Fire” due to its unique floodlighting system. Unlike traditional stadiums where floodlights are mounted on tall towers, Dubai Stadium features 360-degree LED lights fixed around the circumference of its roof. This creates a shadow-less effect on the field, providing uniform illumination and reducing glare for players and spectators.

This distinctive lighting arrangement not only enhances visibility but also gives the stadium a visually striking appearance at night, making it stand out among cricket venues worldwide. The “Ring of Fire” name perfectly captures this stunning effect.