ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Preview and Predictions
Favorites are not that obvious.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to be hosted by the current champion Pakistan and United Arаb Emirates. The tournament will start on February 19. Just like in 2017, eight teams are drawn into two groups of four. The first and second-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage. The others will be eliminated.
ICC Champions Trophy Betting Odds
The tournament will feature 15 matches across Pakistan and Dubai. Matches in Pakistan will be hosted in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi, with each city hosting three group-stage games. Lahore will also host the second semi-final and the final, which is scheduled for March 9. However, the game may be moved to Dubai, if India reaches the final.
Who will win the ICC Champions Trophy odds
The participants are drawn in the following groups:
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Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
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Group B: Afghanistan, South Africa, England, Australia
England: Less pressure = higher chances
England's aggressive approach in white-ball cricket has yielded significant success recently. Despite a less favourable record in subcontinental conditions, their explosive batting lineup featuring Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root, and a versatile bowling attack led by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, are the reasons why this team was almost flawless at the 2019 World Cup and Twenty20 Internationals in 2022.
Buttler believes that England is on the right track.
It is fair to say that it is time for England to finally win the trophy, especially considering India’s unexpected squad choice. Also, there will be no pressure from home fans now. Nothing to lose now, assuming that you are not in favor of bookmakers.
Pakistan: The reigning champions are not favourites
Pakistan’s victory in the last tournament was a surprise. England, South Africa, Australia, and hosts India were among the favorites, but Pakistan’s crushing victory in the final by 180 runs over India was shocking to most of the cricket community. experts predicted this result, especially after the loss in the starting game to India by 124 runs.
Although Pakistan are not favourites again, they are far from being the main outsiders. First of all, they will play on their home soil and will be fueled by passionate home support. Being unpredictable is their most crucial advantage. Led by Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan is able to reach the top again, though other teams will not underestimate them anymore.
India: Siraj, Nair, and Samson are left behind
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided not to include three key players Mohammed Siraj, Karun Nair, and Sanju Samsom in the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the absence of each of them:
Agarkar said that they wanted Arshdeep (Singh) to come and play that role of bowling at the back end and (Mohammed) Shami, having seen what he’d done with the new ball, and that it was the moment where they felt that Siraj's effectiveness came down a little bit — if he was not going to take the new ball.
India is still considered the strongest team among bookmakers, but the real power of this team is questionable after three leaders were left off the squad.
Australia: experienced, hungry but unstable
Australia won this tournament twice. However, the last time the cricket fans saw them taking the title was 15 years ago. Probably it’s time for the third title, especially considering that former captain of the English National team Nasser Hussain sees them as favorites now.
Australia's experience is non-negotiable: top players like David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh proved to be crucial match-winners. In addition, the middle order, including Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Alex Carey, provides finishing power, with a lack of stability though. This definitely will not be a problem against Afghanistan, but it may cause unwanted surprises while playing against top teams like England or South Africa.
South Africa: Will the recent Asian tours help?
South Africa, the first ICC Champions, enter 2025 with a well-rounded squad featuring explosive batters, a strong bowling attack, and emerging talents. South Africa have a genuine opportunity to make a deep run in this tournament.
South Africa boasts a versatile batting lineup led by Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Rassie van der Dussen.
Heinrich Klaasen’s recent form in ODIs (57 matches, 53 innings, 43,20 scores in average), coupled with David Miller’s finishing abilities, adds depth and power to the middle order. The presence of all-rounders like Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram enhances flexibility. South Africa has made strides in overcoming the mental blocks associated with ICC tournaments, as seen in their consistent performances in recent bilateral series and T20 World Cups.
One of South Africa’s key advantages over European and Oceanian teams is that recent tours to Asia have helped players become more accustomed to subcontinental conditions.
While South Africa has a balanced squad, their past record in ICC tournaments and challenges in subcontinental conditions might hold them back.
The others: Any chance for a triumph?
New Zealand have reached the finals of several recent ICC events, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship, which they won. A mix of experienced campaigners like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, and Tom Latham, combined with young talents like Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips, ensures a well-rounded team. The thing is, New Zealand have shown adaptability, their players historically find it challenging to thrive on slow, spinning tracks that are established in hot and humid Pakistan. Therefore, their success depends on adapting to subcontinental conditions and the form of their key players.
The pitches in Pakistan and the UAE closely resemble those in Bangladesh, offering them an advantage over non-subcontinental teams that will struggle with the adaptation. But if top teams feel comfortable on unknown fields, the chances of Bangladesh winning are around zero, especially if they heavily depend on Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim again.
Afghanistan are making their debut in the ICC Champions Trophy. So, no pressure at all. They actually do have some quality players, like batters, led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who have shown the ability to play aggressive cricket, putting the opponent's bowlers under pressure. But due to the lack of experience, in case another team is playing the same aggressive style (and especially doing it better), then Afghanistan’s middle order falls apart.
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