Preparations underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium which is scheduled to host India’s games of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, in Dubai, UAE, on February 18, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

When the last Champions Trophy game was played at The Oval in 2017, it was the dream match-up the organisers could wish for: archrivals India and Pakistan squared off for the crown, with the latter emerging triumphant. Despite the success of that event, it was axed from the calendar and was replaced by the T20 World Cup in 2021. Eight years later, the tournament is now back, with Pakistan set to host its first ICC competition since the 1996 World Cup.

On Wednesday, when the home team takes on New Zealand in Karachi, it will mark a huge moment for the reigning champion and the culmination of more than half a decade of work to normalise international cricketing activity in the country. India, though, will not be visiting its neighbour and will play all its matches here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

While the focus has been on the preparations and readiness of Pakistan’s stadiums so far, now that the day of reckoning is here, the focus shifts to the on-field action.

Also Read | When and where to watch ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Full schedule, squads and more

The idea of having only the top eight teams was to guarantee high-quality cricket with a built-in jeopardy where every game could matter. Over the next three weeks the fans will hope the spirit of the tournament reflects on the pitch.

Though it is tough to ascertain a clear favourite, considering sides don’t play as many ODI games as before, there is a case to be made that India holds a slight edge even if it has played only nine ODI games since the 2023 World Cup final – the fewest among the participating nations. Rohit Sharma’s men blanked England 3-0 recently and have a settled combination even in the absence of pace spearhead Jaspirt Bumrah.

Drawn alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Group-A, the Men in Blue should fancy itself to reach the last four. With the home support behind it, Pakistan will want to defend its crown, but the twin defeat to New Zealand in the recent tri-series, including the final, will be weighing heavily, and Mohammad Rizwan’s men can’t afford another reverse against the Kiwis in the opener. Having played frequently in Pakistan in recent years, the Black Caps will bank on that experience to go deep into the event.

In contrast, Group- B is where things could get interesting and has a potential for surprise. Australia, the ODI champion, doesn’t appear strong on paper. Its bowling attack wears a thin look after losing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injuries, while Mitchell Starc has skipped for personal reasons. The 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka was not ideal preparation either.

Meanwhile, South Africa comes in battered and bruised, having lost its last six ODIs, and England’s one-dimensional approach has limitations, as it found against India. Only Afghanistan, making its CT debut, could feel confident of having a strong chance of progressing from this group. Its potent spin attack, comprising Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammed Nabi, could be a handful for teams that don’t play spin well.

However, beyond the cricketing action, the successful conduct of the tournament could herald a new era for Pakistan.

New Zealand players celebrate winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on October 14, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

India were eliminated from the Women’s T20 World Cup after New Zealand scripted a commanding 54-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Monday (October 14, 2024) to reach the semifinals for the first time since the 2016 edition.

India’s only chance to make the semifinals was depended on a Pakistan win with an inferior Net Run-rate compared to theirs.

Pakistan were very much in the game after restricting New Zealand to a meagre 110 for six in 20 overs.

However, Pakistan’s batting crumbled badly as they were shot out for 56 in just 11.4 overs as White Ferns entered the semifinals with three wins from four games in Group A.

Australia tops group

Australia topped the group with eight points while New Zealand came second with six points. The loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener effectively cost India a place in the last four.

Spinner Amelia Kerr took three wickets but it was seamers Lea Tahuhu (1/8) and Eden Carson (2/7) who opened the floodgates.

Pakistan were supposed to reach the target in less than 12 overs to qualify but they ended up being all out before that.

Earlier, Pakistan bowlers gave a good account of themselves restricting New Zealand to a modest total.

While openers Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17) added 41 runs for the opening stand and just when it seemed that the duo has created a solid foundation, the Pakistani spinners suddenly applied the choke on the opposition.

The two spinners — off-break bowler Omaima Sohail (1/14 in 4 overs) and left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu (3/18 in 4 overs) — were brilliant through the middle overs with 21 dot balls and four wickets between them for only 29 runs.

New Zealand have swung a surprise by naming experienced all-rounder Michael Bracewell as their captain for this month’s five-match T20I series against Pakistan.

Bracewell has not played an international match since March last year and as only recently returned to domestic duties following injury concerns that have included a ruptured Achilles and a broken finger, as per ICC.

But with the likes of Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner skipping the tour due to duties in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bracewell earns a call-up to captain the Kiwis in the five-match series in Pakistan that will provide both teams quality practice ahead of June’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

New Zealand selector Sam Wells was thrilled to be able to welcome Bracewell back into the fold and has no doubt the 33-year-old can perform the role of captain with aplomb.

“Michael has faced a long period on the sideline and it is exciting to see him back playing cricket again,” Wells said as quoted by ICC.

“The fact he is back playing at a high level after an Achilles rupture is testament to his hard work and application.”

“He is a well-respected leader and has captaincy experience for Wellington along with New Zealand A and New Zealand XI teams, which we believe holds him in good stead to lead the group in Pakistan,” concluded Wells.

Bracewell will lead a youthful New Zealand side on the tour, with regulars Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Santner and Williamson all missing due to their playing commitments in the IPL.

Other first-choice players Will Young, Tim Southee, Colin Munro and Tim Latham are also missing for various reasons, with the likes of hard-hitting opener Finn Allen, experienced all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and veteran spinner Ish Sodhi expected to lead the way.

Two players are also in line to make their T20I debut, with fast bowler Will O’Rourke earning a call-up after impressing on Test debut against Australia recently and hard-hitting batter Tim Robinson included in the squad of 15 after some big knocks in domestic cricket in New Zealand.

Wells has high hopes for the duo should they win selection in Pakistan.

“Tim is still very early in his domestic career but his natural ability and explosive power was on full display this season,” Wells said.

“Combined with his outstanding fielding, we believe he has a skill-set that is well suited to the format. We have been delighted with Will’s early efforts in international cricket, in both the formats he has played so far. This tour will be an excellent chance for him to test his skills in foreign conditions,” he concluded.

New Zealand squad for Pakistan: Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Tour schedule:

First T20I: April 18, Rawalpindi

Second T20I: April 20, Rawalpindi

Third T20I: April 21, Rawalpindi

Fourth T20I: April 25, Lahore

Fifth T20I: April 27, Lahore