The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to bring high-stakes cricket action, with eight teams competing for the coveted title.
From Pakistan’s formidable pace attack to Afghanistan’s debut campaign, here’s a breakdown of each participating team’s prospects, key players, and fixtures.
Group A
Bangladesh
Coach: Phil Simmons
Captain: Najmul Hossain Shanto
Best Finish: Semi-finals (2017)
Fixtures: India (20 Feb, Dubai), New Zealand (24 Feb, Rawalpindi), Pakistan (27 Feb, Rawalpindi)
Ranked 9th in ODIs, Bangladesh enter the tournament as underdogs.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has high hopes but faces a tough challenge, especially with their opener against India.
The absence of veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is banned from bowling, adds to their struggles.
Interim coach Phil Simmons, appointed last October, will look to make an impact before his contract ends.
One to Watch: Taskin Ahmed – The 29-year-old pacer, in peak form after claiming a record 25 wickets in the BPL, will be crucial for Bangladesh’s campaign.
India
Coach: Gautam Gambhir
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Best Finish: Champions (2002, 2013)
Fixtures: Bangladesh (20 Feb, Dubai), Pakistan (23 Feb, Dubai), New Zealand (2 March, Dubai)
India’s lead-up to the tournament was clouded by uncertainty over their participation in Pakistan.
Eventually, their fixtures were moved to the UAE. A last-minute setback came with Jasprit Bumrah’s withdrawal due to injury, with Harshit Rana replacing him.
The inclusion of mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, with only one prior ODI appearance, adds intrigue to their bowling attack.
One to Watch: Harshit Rana – The young pacer, making his ODI debut last month, faces immense pressure to deliver in Bumrah’s absence.
New Zealand
Coach: Gary Stead
Captain: Mitchell Santner
Best Finish: Champions (2000)
Fixtures: Pakistan (19 Feb, Karachi), Bangladesh (24 Feb, Rawalpindi), India (2 March, Dubai)
The Black Caps have undergone major changes, with senior pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult absent and Kane Williamson stepping down as captain.
Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and three first-time ICC tournament bowlers will lead their pace attack.
Their opening game against hosts Pakistan is critical for their semi-final chances.
One to Watch: Kane Williamson – Back in form with a century against South Africa and a half-century against Pakistan, Williamson remains the backbone of New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Pakistan
Coach: Aaqib Javed
Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
Best Finish: Champions (2017)
Fixtures: New Zealand (19 Feb, Karachi), India (23 Feb, Dubai), Bangladesh (27 Feb, Rawalpindi)
Pakistan’s hosting of an ICC event for the first time since 1996 is a landmark moment.
Their pace attack, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Hasnain, could be tournament-defining.
However, concerns persist over Babar Azam’s form, especially with his recent shift to opening the batting.
Pakistan also lacks any real spinning threat, with Abrar Ahmed being the only senior spin option.
One to Watch: Babar Azam – The world’s top-ranked ODI batter, a key figure in Pakistan’s recent cricketing history, will need to rediscover his best form.
Group B
Afghanistan
Coach: Jonathan Trott
Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
Best Finish: First appearance
Fixtures: South Africa (21 Feb, Karachi), England (26 Feb, Lahore), Australia (28 Feb, Lahore)
Fresh off strong performances in the 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups, Afghanistan enter their first-ever Champions Trophy with confidence.
Their spin attack, led by Rashid Khan and supported by 40-year-old Mohammad Nabi, remains their strength, but their batting depth is a concern.
One to Watch: Azmatullah Omarzai – With an ODI average of 95.11 in games where he surpasses five runs, his consistency will be vital for Afghanistan.
Australia
Coach: Andrew McDonald
Captain: Steve Smith
Best Finish: Champions (2006, 2009)
Fixtures: England (22 Feb, Lahore), South Africa (25 Feb, Rawalpindi), Afghanistan (28 Feb, Lahore)
The former two-time ICC Champions Trophy winners Australia find themselves in a troubling spot.
Australia enter the tournament severely depleted, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Marsh, Mitchell Starc, and Marcus Stoinis all missing.
Their squad includes relatively inexperienced players like Tanveer Sangha, Spencer Johnson, and Ben Dwarshuis, adding uncertainty to their campaign.
One to Watch: Spencer Johnson – The left-arm quick, who was working as a gardener just three years ago, has risen rapidly through the ranks and now faces a major test.
England
Coach: Brendon McCullum
Captain: Jos Buttler
Best Finish: Runners-up (2004, 2013)
Fixtures: Australia (22 Feb, Lahore), Afghanistan (26 Feb, Lahore), South Africa (1 March, Karachi)
England enter the tournament on the back of a dismal 3-8 ODI record in the past year, including a 0-3 series loss in India.
While Jofra Archer and Mark Wood’s return is a boost, their squad appears thin in both batting and spin bowling depth.
One to Watch: Liam Livingstone – With England’s middle order struggling, Livingstone’s batting and secondary spin options will be crucial to their chances.
South Africa
Coach: Rob Walter
Captain: Temba Bavuma
Best Finish: Champions (1998)
Fixtures: Afghanistan (21 Feb, Karachi), Australia (25 Feb, Rawalpindi), England (1 March, Karachi)
South Africa have reached consecutive ICC tournament semi-finals and are looking to end their trophy drought since winning the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998.
Despite losing eight of their last 11 ODIs, their squad is packed with experienced players, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen bolstering their bowling attack.
One to Watch: Marco Jansen – Recently named SA20 Player of the Tournament, Jansen’s ability with both bat and ball could be decisive.
Tournament outlook
With contrasting team fortunes and a blend of seasoned stars and fresh talent, the Champions Trophy 2025 promises competitive cricket.
Pakistan’s pace attack, India’s experienced squad, Afghanistan’s spin prowess, and Australia’s depleted lineup will all shape the tournament’s narrative.
As teams battle for semi-final spots, fans can expect high-intensity cricket across Dubai, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.
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