Sarib Ijaz, Rawalpindi
The Champions Trophy 2025 was the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy since its inception in 1998. It was now hosted by Pakistan Cricket Board from 19th February to 9th March 2025 and featured 15 matches held across three venues in Pakistan and one in the United Arab Emirates, their first big-ticket tournament since co-hosting the 1996 ODI World Cup.
The tournament was contested by the top eight ranked men’s national teams qualified from the 2023 World Cup. Afghanistan made their debut appearance in the tournament.
Pakistan were the defending champions but they were eliminated in the group stage. India made history in this tournament by not only defeating New Zealand in the final and also became the first team to win three Champions Trophy titles. Their back to back six matches unbeaten has marked their status as the world’s number one ODI team. However this victory has also created some controversy especially regarding India refusal to travel to Pakistan as India decided to play all their matches in Dubai rather than touring Pakistan which automatically has given them edge by staying at a single venue in Dubai with an unfair advantages to other teams including host Pakistan as all of them has to face the challenges of travelling between Pakistan and UAE. Pakistan was not even allowed to host the Final of Champions Trophy despite being host and if New Zealand and India Final was held at Pakistan the result would definitely be different. Moreover, PCB officials were also not present from the Champions Trophy presentation ceremony despite being the host nation. Since the ceremony concluded, there’s been plenty of discussion all around in Pakistan over the manner in which it all unfolded. The great Pakistani legend Wasim Akram also admitted by being stunned on failing to spot a single PCB official at the ICC Champions Trophy presentation ceremony. The incident has now landed into a huge controversy, with many questions being asked from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the incident.
All the teams participated in the tournament and play their matches in Pakistan excluding India highly praises the hospitality and security measures adopted by PCB. I enjoy watching the whole tournament but as a Pakistani they were two disappointments: firstly is the early exit of Pakistan Cricket Team from the tournament and secondly the final was not held at Pakistan despite being host.
The Champions Trophy 2025 finally ended up on 9th March 2025 with India lifted the trophy.
