The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious cricket tournament celebrated for its thrilling matches and intense competition among the world’s best cricketing nations. Often dubbed the “Mini World Cup,” the tournament boasts a rich history filled with memorable moments, iconic players, and game-changing performances. Below is a detailed and creative exploration of the Champions Trophy’s journey, including its winners, runners-up, and evolution.
Overview of the ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy was first introduced in 1998 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ICC KnockOut Tournament. Its primary purpose was to generate funds for cricket development in countries lacking Test status. The inaugural editions took place in Kenya (1998) and Bangladesh (2000), highlighting the ICC’s commitment to expanding cricket’s global footprint.
Due to its immense commercial success, the tournament evolved to include major cricketing nations and shifted to a more competitive format. By 2009, the ICC limited participation to the top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings, ensuring high-quality contests.
While the tournament was discontinued after 2017, the ICC announced its return in 2021. The 2025 edition will be held in Pakistan, marking the revival of this fan-favorite event after an eight-year hiatus.
ICC Champions Trophy Winners List (1998 to 2025)
| Year | Host Nation(S) | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa |
West Indies
|
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka and India | None |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England |
| 2006 | India | Australia |
West Indies
|
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia |
New Zealand
|
| 2013 | England and Wales | India | England |
| 2017 | England and Wales | Pakistan | India |
| 2025 | Pakistan | Not Decided | Not Decided |
Key Facts About the ICC Champions Trophy
- Host Nations: The tournament has been hosted in seven countries, with England hosting it thrice.
- Format Evolution: Initially a knockout competition, it adopted a round-robin format in 2002. Post-2009, only the top eight ODI teams qualified.
- Top Performers: Notable players like Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, and MS Dhoni have left an indelible mark on the tournament.
- Significance: The Champions Trophy is renowned for its shorter duration (around two weeks) and high-stakes matches, making it a fan favorite.
Champions Trophy 2025: Squad
This edition promises intense rivalry, especially given the geopolitical tensions surrounding India and Pakistan. Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the resumption of one of cricket’s most thrilling events.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will see the return of this iconic tournament, with Pakistan as the host nation. The eight participating teams include:
Group A:
- India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
- Pakistan:Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
- New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young
- Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
Group B:
- South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen
- Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
- England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood
- Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran
ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 schedule
19 Feb – Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi
20 Feb – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
21 Feb – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
22 Feb – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
23 Feb – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
24 Feb – Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
25 Feb – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
26 Feb – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
27 Feb – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
28 Feb – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 Mar – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi
2 Mar – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
4 Mar – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai*
5 Mar – Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore**
9 Mar – Final – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore***
All matches start at 2:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time
* Semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify
**Semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify
*** If India qualify for the final it will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Final Thoughts
The ICC Champions Trophy has carved a unique niche in the cricketing world, providing fans with unforgettable matches and moments. With its rich history and the much-anticipated 2025 edition on the horizon, the tournament continues to be a celebration of cricketing excellence.