Pakistan and UAE will host the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Team India’s matches have been shifted to Dubai after the BCCI refused to send its team to the neighboring country. The International Cricket Council convinced India and Pakistan to accept a hybrid model for the tournaments scheduled in the two countries from 2025 to 2027. Pakistan were also given the hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World in 2028 as compensation for India’s refusal to play in the country. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9.
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups of four each with the top two playing in the semis. India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh have been kept in Group A, while Group B comprises Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman has predicted the four semi-finalists of the Champions Trophy. He kept powerhouses Australia and England out of the race. Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and South Africa were his choices.
The previous edition of the Champions Trophy was held in 2027 when Pakistan beat India in the final.
Fakhar Zaman was named the Player of the Match for scoring a hundred.However, he was removed from the central contract and the team after the batter tweeted in favor of Babar Azam. There were reports that the selectors would drop the start batter from the Test team, and Fakhar reacted to the development during the series against England. He paid a heavy price as the Pakistan Cricket Board not only refused to offer him a central contract but also dropped him from white-ball teams.
