The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is ready to make a extremely anticipated return after an eight-year hole, with the 2025 version scheduled to happen in Pakistan and the UAE. This marquee occasion, starting on February 19, will see eight of the world’s high cricketing nations battle for probably the most prestigious trophies in worldwide cricket. As pleasure builds, discussions round potential semi-finalists have intensified, and former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has weighed in together with his predictions.
Zaheer Khan’s 4 groups and their highway to the semi-finals
Zaheer firmly backed India as one of many strongest groups heading into the event, citing their constant performances in ICC occasions over the previous decade. The second workforce on Zaheer’s listing is Australia, a aspect that has constructed a popularity for delivering in ICC tournaments. Zaheer additional acknowledged New Zealand‘s ICC event observe file, making them a pure choose for the semi-finals. For his fourth choose, Zaheer backed South Africa, a workforce that has usually struggled in knockout matches however has proven vital promise in white-ball cricket in recent times.
“There’s little question in the truth that India can be within the Semi-Finals; other than them Australia is likely to be seen, New Zealand has at all times achieved effectively in these tournaments. My fourth choose can be South Africa, who’ve additionally been promising in white-ball cricket,” Zaheer was quoted as saying by the CricTracker.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Contenders and their strengths
India’s consistency in ICC tournaments since 2011, mixed with a squad led by Rohit Sharma and that includes Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Yashasvi Jaiswal, makes them sturdy favorites. Their Group A marketing campaign in Dubai begins in opposition to Bangladesh on February 20, with their adaptability to UAE situations boosting their probabilities.
Australia’s historical past of dominance in main occasions, backed by skilled stars and an aggressive method, retains them among the many high contenders. New Zealand’s balanced squad, adaptability, and consistency in international tournaments make them a workforce to look at. South Africa, aiming to shed their ‘choker’ tag, boasts a powerful mixture of explosive batters and world-class pacers, enhancing their knockout stage potential. With depth in each batting and bowling, these groups possess the firepower to excel in Pakistan and UAE situations.
Zaheer on doubts concerning Pakistan’s title protection
Because the defending champions and co-hosts, Pakistan naturally enters the event with expectations of a powerful efficiency. Nevertheless, Zaheer expressed issues over their current kind in ODI cricket, highlighting their inconsistency as a significant component that would hinder their probabilities. “Pakistan aren’t taking part in constant cricket for the time being,” he remarked, stating their struggles in sustaining momentum in white-ball codecs.
Pakistan could have the benefit of taking part in in acquainted situations, however their unpredictability makes them a wildcard within the event. Whereas they’ve the potential to shock any workforce on their day, their lack of stability within the batting order and inconsistency in key moments elevate doubts about whether or not they can defend their title efficiently. The truth that India’s matches have been shifted to Dubai on account of logistical issues additionally means Pakistan will miss out on a direct residence benefit in opposition to their largest rivals.
