Sydney [Australia], January 2: Former Australian cricketer and ICC ambassador Shane Watson spoke about the significance of the ICC Champions Trophy ahead of its 2025 edition, set to take place in Pakistan in February.
Watson praised the unique format of the Champions Trophy, explaining that it stands out from regular bilateral series, where the play can become predictable. “The Champions Trophy is a special tournament from a playing perspective. When you’re involved in bilateral series throughout the year, it can get a bit stale—both for players and fans. But when you play in an ICC event like the Champions Trophy, where there are only eight teams, every ball matters. As a team, you need to hit the ground running or face elimination, as we saw with Australia in 2013. It’s a fantastic tournament,” Watson said during a press conference.
The 43-year-old further elaborated on the appeal of the Champions Trophy, noting that while smaller teams get the opportunity to compete in the ODI World Cup, the Champions Trophy’s condensed format heightens the intensity. “The beauty of the Champions Trophy is that it features just eight teams, and every game feels crucial. The World Cup is amazing for smaller countries, giving them a chance to play on the big stage. But with only eight teams, every match is a high-stakes battle. Each team knows they must be at their very best, making it an incredibly competitive tournament. I love how cutthroat it is from the very first game,” Watson added.
Watson also highlighted the significance of Pakistan hosting the event, noting that it will be a momentous occasion for the country’s cricket fans. “It’s going to be huge for Pakistan’s cricket fans. Having world-class cricket in the country will be a special experience. I was fortunate to play in the Pakistan Super League in 2019, and that was one of the highlights of my career. The love and joy they have for cricket are unmatched. Pakistan has been starved of live international cricket, and an ICC event will truly light up the country. It’s going to be incredible for the fans to watch the best cricketers in the world play live in front of them,” Watson said.
The Champions Trophy will be hosted across three venues in Pakistan—Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Each venue will host three group matches, with Lahore also set to host the second semi-final and the final on March 9, unless India qualifies, in which case the final will be held in Dubai. Both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
The tournament will kick off in Karachi on February 19, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening Group A match. The Dubai leg will begin the following day, with India facing Bangladesh. Group B will start on February 21, with Afghanistan playing South Africa in Karachi. A thrilling weekend follows, with England facing Australia on February 22 in Lahore, followed by the much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash on February 23.
The top eight teams from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will compete for the Champions Trophy, with Group A featuring Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B will include Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.