The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the ninth edition of the tournament, having first been held in 1998 as the ‘ICC KnockOut Trophy’. Over the years, the tournament has been won by seven nations, ensuring countless incredible moments on the field. With the Champions Trophy set to return in Pakistan and the UAE, we take a look back at five of the most iconic moments from past editions of the tournament, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Virender Sehwag wins it with the ball

Star batter Virender Sehwag turned the game with his off-spin as India qualified for the final of the 2002 edition with an exciting triumph over South Africa in Colombo.

Sehwag had already contributed a splendid half-century as India posted a competitive total of 261/9 at R Premadasa Stadium, but the Proteas appeared in control during the run chase as they took the score to 200 with seven wickets still in hand and nine overs still remaining.

Enter Sehwag, who took the key wickets of Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener to seal an enthralling victory for India and book their place in the final against Sri Lanka.

West Indies’ heroic victory

Things looked bleak for the West Indies when key batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed and the Caribbean side still required 81 runs for victory with just two wickets in hand against England in the 2004 title decider at The Oval in London, but an incredible ninth-wicket partnership between Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw paved the way for a remarkable run chase.

Browne and Bradshaw put on an unbeaten 71 as the West Indies successfully chased down England’s decent total of 217 with seven deliveries remaining as the Caribbean side claimed their inaugural title.

England stun South Africa at home

England had a day out in this high-scoring encounter at Centurion in 2009 as they booked their place in the knockout stages with an eye-catching triumph over the host nation South Africa.

Owais Shah was the hero with the bat as he smashed six sixes in an innings of 98, while pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up three wickets apiece in reply as the Proteas fell agonisingly short in reply.

Graeme Smith played a lone hand for South Africa with a brilliant 141, but that wasn’t enough as England progressed to the semi-finals with plenty of momentum.

Lasith Malinga stars in low-scoring thriller 

Low-scoring contests can often lead to climatic finishes and that was certainly the case in Cardiff in 2013 as New Zealand pulled off a remarkable one-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka.

Not many would have expected Sri Lanka’s low total of 138 to be competitive, but pacer Lasith Malinga had other ideas as he ripped through the Black Caps’ middle-order to reduce New Zealand to 122/8 in reply.

It was left to Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan to guide the Kiwis over the line, but not before Sri Lanka had threatened to produce a massive upset.

It was a memorable day at The Oval in London as Pakistan clinched their first Champions Trophy title with an emphatic victory over arch-rival India.

Fakhar Zaman leads Pakistan to victory over India

Opener Fakhar Zaman set the ball rolling with a superb century as Pakistan put 338/4 on the board and an inspired bowling performance from Mohammad Amir ensured that score was more than enough.

Fakhar was initially dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, but a no-ball by India’s pace spearhead came back to haunt him as Fakhar took full advantage of his lifeline.

Amir tore through the heart of India’s top-order by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession and India could never recover as they were bundled out for just 158 in reply.

South African cricketer Heinrich Klaasen admitted that he is hesitant to try India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav’s shots and also revealed his thoughts on T20 cricket, his memorable innings and a few personal favourites. Asked to describe his batting style in one word, Klaasen replied simply, “Explosive.” When it came to naming the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) T20 player, he said on JioCinema’s Q20s show, “I would say… Suryakumar Yadav probably.”

Known for his hard-hitting approach, Klaasen shared that his favourite shot is the “pick-up pull shot” and named Jasprit Bumrah as the “toughest bowler to hit out in T20s.” When asked to pick a shot he’d like to borrow from a batter, past or present, he replied, “It would be a combination of the scoop of AB de Villiers and Suryakumar Yadav. They both have this technique to hit fine leg off straight balls, which is phenomenal.”

Reflecting on his T20 career, Klaasen recalled two standout performances against India – his 81 in 2022 or 69 in 2018. He chose the former as his favourite. “Probably the 81. That was the better one in tougher conditions,” he remarked.

Klaasen named Yuzvendra Chahal as “the funniest non-South African player” he’s played with and shared his love for butter chicken as his favourite Indian dish.

For inspiration from other sports, Klaasen named multiple Formula 1 World Drivers Championship winner Lewis Hamilton, saying, “I wish I had the ability to drive cars like him.”

Klassen also suggested that Nicholas Pooran is the one batter who could potentially score a double hundred in T20 cricket. When asked who he’d trust to bat for his life, he replied, “Probably Hashim Amla.”

Speaking about the one shot he’s always wanted to try but hesitated on, Klassen said, “The one that Suryakumar Yadav plays over fine leg – Supla Shot. I don’t like getting into line too much,” he admitted with a laugh.

Virat Kohli and Shakib Al Hasan© X (Twitter)