Shukri Conrad.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Debutants Afghanistan will aim to continue their impressive rise in white-ball cricket, while South Africa will once again attempt to shed the ‘chokers’ tag when the two sides kick off their Champions Trophy campaign in Karachi on Friday. The inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998, which was called the Knockout Trophy at that time, remains the only ICC men’s senior title that South Africa have secured despite having produced some of the world’s greatest cricketers, especially in limited-overs format. The Proteas boast of a well-balanced squad with a formidable batting lineup.

While skipper Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram will anchor the top order, the big-hitting trio of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs are well-equipped to provide the final flourish.

South Africa’s biggest challenge heading into the tournament is their depleted bowling attack as key pacers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee ruled out due to injuries.

Known for his pace, aggression, and the knack of striking at crucial moments, Kagiso Rabada will be the Proteas’ key weapon in both the powerplay and death overs.

Marco Jansen, too, will be expected to step up significantly. His ability to build pressure and deliver impactful spells will be crucial.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi will be looking to rediscover his rhythm and confidence after a below-par showing in the recent tri-series.

In the spin department, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will have vital roles.

Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, South Africa have won only four of the 14 ODIs they have played. They enter the tournament on the back of a six-match losing streak.

But one cannot overlook the fact that they were not able to field a full strength team in any of these games due to multiple reasons.

Clubbed alongside an off-colour England, injury-plagued Australia and Afghanistan, South Africa have a good chance of advancing to the knockout stage. But the Afghans could prove to be the proverbial banana peel.

The war-torn nation has emerged as strong contenders to make the semifinals.

Their impressive performances in recent ICC events include dominant wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reaching the semifinals of the T20 World Cup last year.

They have proved more than once that they are no longer underdogs but a force to be reckoned with.

The Adghans have won four of their five bilateral series since the ODI World Cup, including one against South Africa in the UAE.

Their biggest strength expectedly remains their spin attack comprising the redoubtable Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and left-armers Noor Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote.

They will play all three group matches in Pakistan where spin will be a decisive factor.

Pacer Azmatullah Omarzai has been a key figure in Afghanistan’s ODI success, with his ability to swing the new ball providing them the powerplay edge.

Fazalhaq Farooqi will be another crucial weapon with ability to provide early breakthroughs and effective variations at the death.

In the batting department, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will once again be expected to provide a solid start.

Their weakness, however, lies in their middle order, which has often struggled to maintain momentum. This inconsistency has been a concern, and addressing it will be crucial for their success in the tournament.

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, Corbin Bosch.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.

The highly-anticipated International Masters League (IML) unveiled its magnificent trophy in the presence of the icons who will lead their respective teams in the inaugural edition. India’s cricket icon and Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar was joined by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, West Indies maestro Brian Lara, England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, Australia’s Shane Watson and South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes, who represented captain Jacques Kallis, at the Captains’ Day, which was held at the DY Patil University campus on Wednesday.

The IML is set to capture the imagination of cricket fans by providing a thrilling experience of high-octane action, featuring stalwarts of the sport.  India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters will play the opening fixture of the IML at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Saturday, February 22.

Sachin Tendulkar, captain of India Masters, said, “Stepping back onto the cricket field is like returning to the place that has given me my identity as a sportsperson. Reuniting with my former teammates and peers, reliving our experiences, and sharing our cherished memories is truly special. I am as excited today as I was on the day of my debut to represent our country, and I have no doubt that every player shares the same passion to play the game we all love, once again.”

Brian Lara, captain of West Indies Masters: “I’m truly excited to be back in India, a country that has always felt like a second home to me. Its vibrant culture and the passion of its diverse fans make playing here an unforgettable experience. Taking the field once again with old friends in the International Masters League is something I deeply look forward to, and I can’t wait to reignite some of our fabled rivalries. The stage is set, the energy is electric, and I’m ready for the action!”

Kumar Sangakkara, captain of Sri Lanka Masters: “I’m delighted to be part of this incredible competition. Cricket is a huge part of my life, and having the chance to play alongside some of the greatest ambassadors of the game makes the IML even more special. I can’t wait for that opening match against India Masters-it’s going to be a fantastic contest!”

Shane Watson, captain of Australia Masters, said: “India has always been one of my favourite countries, and the love and support I’ve received here is second to none. I’m really chuffed to be playing in the International Masters League, sharing the field once again with friends and old colleagues. It’s going to be a riveting contest, and I know India will be a tough opponent-but we’ve got a strong squad, and we’re ready for the challenge!”

Eoin Morgan, captain of England Masters, said: “The International Masters League is going to be an exciting tournament, and I can’t wait to regroup with the boys and get back out there. India is a cricket-loving nation where fans truly worship the game, making it the perfect place for a tournament like this one. I’ve been training hard to ensure we deliver the goods, and fingers crossed for a great outing!”

Jonty Rhodes (Representing Jacques Kallis for South Africa Masters), said, “It’s no secret how special India is to me. Playing here has always been an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to be back for the International Masters League. We’ve assembled a strong squad, and I’m confident we’ll have a fantastic time. This will be a truly special competition, and while we’re hoping for the best results, I am excited to be back on the field!”

The unveiling of the International Masters League trophy symbolizes the commencement of a cricketing spectacle that will celebrate the rich legacy of the sport.

It was announced during the Captains’ Day that entry for students and senior citizens to the stadium for the opening game was free. _Students would have to present a valid ID card from their current college or university, while senior citizens would have to carry a government-issued senior citizen card. Entry will be denied at the gate if a valid and authentic ID proof is not provided.

Match tickets are available on BookMyShow, the ticketing partner.

Watch the IML February 22nd onwards, live on JioHotstar along with Colors Cineplex (SD & HD) and Colors Cineplex Superhits will broadcast the IML live, 7.30 pm onwards.

JioStar Network will be the home of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, delivering a ground-breaking presentation of the prestigious tournament starting February 19. With the world’s top eight teams set to clash in high-stakes encounters, the broadcaster will offer an unparalleled viewing experience across both linear television and digital platforms. On TV, in addition to the English feed, the network will provide coverage in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada across Star Sports and Sports18 channels. 

For the first time ever on digital, an ICC tournament will be streamed live across 16 feeds, including nine languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. In addition to the language options, the live streaming on JioHotstar will be complemented by four multi-cam feeds. 

A star-studded line-up of cricket legends from seven different countries will bring their expert insights and electrifying commentary to viewers, elevating the excitement of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Nasser Hussain, Matthew Hayden, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Simon Doull, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Aaron Finch will join forces for JioStar’s English coverage, offering incisive match analysis and edge-of-the-seat commentary to match the high-octane action on the field.

The Hindi coverage of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will feature a stellar roster of cricketing icons, including Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Wahab Riaz, Waqar Younis, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Mohammad Kaif, Piyush Chawla, Sanjay Bangar, Aakash Chopra, and Deep Dasgupta.

Additionally, the regional languages presentation will showcase a line-up of renowned names from the Indian cricket scene, such as Hanuma Vihari, Abhinav Mukund, MSK Prasad, R Sridhar, Murali Vijay, S Badrinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi, Kedar Jadhav, and many more, bringing unparalleled depth and expertise to the broadcast.

Enhancing the coverage, the Indian Sign Language feed and Audio Descriptive Commentary will return on JioHotstar, ensuring an inclusive experience for audiences.

This ground-breaking initiative by the JioStar network won a National Award in the Category of Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities 2024. The hugely successful vertical feed (MaxView) will be available in Hindi and English, providing fans with an easier and more intuitive mobile viewing experience, allowing them to consume content on the go.

Speaking about the presentation for the tournament that returns after eight years, Siddharth Sharma, Head of Content – JioStar, Sports said, “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be presented to fans with an unprecedented degree of viewing options and experiences. With the combined might of the widest linear television sports network in the country and biggest digital sports platform, the thrills of this format will not only go deeper and wider, but also be more immersive, innovative, and inclusive. We have created a touchpoint of engagement or innovation for every viewer, no matter what their preference, which makes our presentation of the tournament a never-seen-before experience.”

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off on February 19, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in an exciting opener. Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20 at 2:30 PM IST.

Their group stage fixtures also include the highly-anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 23 and a match against New Zealand on March 2. The tournament will culminate with the final on March 9. All matches will be broadcast on the JioStar Network and streamed live on JioHotstar.

Intrigue, uncertainty, backstage drama. The ICC Champions Trophy has seen it all even before the curtains go up on the tournament and it would only get more stirring over the next three weeks, starting with the opening clash between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. Eight teams will vie for a trophy, often talked up as tougher to win than the World Cup, and also to script a new chapter in their own cricketing story. While India will fight it out in Dubai, others will be primarily based in Pakistan, which would get to host its first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup.

Several barriers had to be hurdled over to cobble this tournament together after eight years. The tournament is also crucial amid the raging debate on the relevance of ODI cricket, which is struggling to find its space amid the rage for T20 cricket and the devotion for Test format.

Perhaps, no other cricketing event in the recent past has been harried so much by long-standing geopolitical tensions, stubbornness by administrative boards of two important participants, and the nail-biting anxiety over the readiness of venues in the main hosting nation.

The chaos has been an endearing throwback to the 90s when cricket in the sub-continent resembled a hastily organised party.

But all these pre-tournament jitters will be forgotten once the teams enter the field, and the first of them will be Pakistan and New Zealand.

If anyone needs a reminder, then Pakistan had won the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017.

The opening match in itself is a curious clash — a talented-yet-volatile Pakistan unsure of its own destiny against a team for which order is everything.

But the blue riband match of the tournament will be on February 23 when India take on Pakistan, ushering in customary waves of nostalgia, emotions, political grand-standing, and the social media battle.

That marquee showdown will be in Dubai as India remained steadfast in its refusal to set foot on Pakistani soil owing to security concerns.

Last dance of Kohli, Rohit?

But beyond such team equations, certain individual players would want this tournament to be a memorable one.

On top of the list are India’s batting talismans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They have been magnificent servants of the game over the last decade and half.

Few in modern era were able to match their achievements and aura. But now, these two titans have reached the last lap of a long race, and would want to bow out in a blaze of glory.

It’s tough to imagine Kohli and Rohit being part of India’s ODI set-up after the Champions Trophy irrespective of the outcome.

It might even impact their future in Test cricket, as a lukewarm outing here might force the selectors to mull over their role ahead of India’s tour to England in June.

Similarly, a failure to win the Champions Trophy will bring the role of head coach Gautam Gambhir under scrutiny.

Gambhir might have received a temporary relief after India’s domination over England in the recent home series, but not it wouldn’t be enough to brush under the carpet, India’s recent travails against New Zealand and Australia.

But a global trophy will certainly give him a much better ground to stand.

From a team perspective, India will be eager to wrest their first ICC trophy in the 50-over format after their triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy under the enigmatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

It will be a perfect parting gift to Kohli and Rohit and a welcome carpet to some young names such as Shubman Gill who are set to take India into the future.

The challengers

India are playing a brand of ODI cricket that makes them instant favourites to win the tournament. They have adopted an aggressive approach and have a varied line-up, brimming with talent.

But such calculations can go wrong because of a bad moment or session, as it happened in the 2023 World Cup final when India succumbed to Australia after a middling batting effort.

The Aussies themselves are without their premier pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. But the two-time champions still pack a punch as they have a batting unit to meet the demands of ODI format.

Once a feared white-ball team, England have slipped a few rungs as age and form have caught up with some of their leading performers.

But do the likes of Jos Buttler, Joe Root and Liam Livingstone have one last roar left in them? Or will some of their new stars such as Harry Brook or Ben Duckett cut open a new path? New Zealand are also travelling on fresh avenue following the retirement of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Kane Williamson is their trump card and the Kiwis would hope that he fires for them to earn their maiden white ball ICC trophy.

South Africa too will have a similar goal. They had won ICC Knockouts Trophy in 1998, but not bagged anything in recent times and the Temba Bavuma-led side will be hoping for a reversal of fortune.

But for that to happen, the Proteas should coat their minds with steel in crunch situations.

It’s applicable to Pakistan as well. If they can stop obsessing over the match against India and not treat it as the ‘final frontier’, then the home side is a dangerous opposition.

Their pace attack is top-notch and they have some batters like Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha who can turn on the heat on the rivals.

Afghanistan, who have transformed into a formidable white-ball outfit, also can put other teams under immense pressure through a squad that has Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Bangladesh now has receded to the periphery of cricketing consciousness, but can they pull of a stunner as they had done in the 2007 50-over World Cup? It would be a fitting tribute to a tournament that has already gone through several disruptions. So, let the play begin.

It is the biggest cricketing event of the calendar year as the world’s best eight teams get ready to lock horns with one another in the ICC Champions Trophy which gets underway in Karachi from the 19th of February. The million-dollar question then is – who are the favourites to win the tournament? How much will home-advantage help Pakistan? Why are New Zealand again the Dark Horse and what is ailing Australia, England and South Africa?

India – the highest impact batting unit

India are, by some distance, the best batting unit going into the tournament. They have the best batting average and strike rate in ODI cricket since 2023 which means that not only are they scoring big but are also doing so at an alarming rate! India have crossed 350 on as many as 10 occasions in the last couple of years – the most for any team in this time-frame. They have annihilated the opposition by a margin of 100 or more runs in nine encounters while hammering them by seven or more wickets in nine more! They dominated the 2023 World Cup at home before running into Australia in the final.

India are the number one ranked ODI team in the world and at the top of their game in the format. They are in form having smashed England 3-0 at home in their last bilateral series before the Champions Trophy.

Rohit Sharma may be at the cusp of retirement in Test cricket but remains a dynamic force at the top of the order for India in ODIs – as he recently showcased with a masterclass hundred in a 300-plus chase against England in Cuttack. Kohli still boasts of the highest batting average in ODI history while no batter in the world has scored more runs than Shubman Gill since 2023. Shreyas Iyer has returned with a bang and was in scintillating form in the series against England – he is a brilliant player of spin and will be key in the middle overs in Dubai. KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya will provide the impetus at the death.

While Jasprit Bumrah‘s unavailability is a massive blow for Team India and he will be missed in crunch situations especially in the knockouts, the Men in Blue still have enough quality in the bowling department to cause trouble to any opposition line-up. Mohammed Shami may not have had the best of comebacks against England but his strike rate of 25.7 is the best in ODI cricket history for a minimum of 150 wickets! Kuldeep Yadav is Indias highest wicket-taker in ODIs since 2023 with 55 wickets in 34 innings at an average of 21.76 and economy of 4.51 while Varun Chakravarthy is at the peak of his prowess in white-ball cricket.

India will steamroll their opponents on flat decks and have high quality spinners to cause trouble on turning tracks.

Home Advantage for Pakistan?

Pakistan have two things going for them ahead of the tournament. The defending champions will be playing in familiar conditions at home in front of vociferous and passionate crowds. Secondly, the team’s batting line-up looks more stable than ever before in the last 10 years with less dependency on their two stalwarts – Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Fakhar Zaman (4 hundreds in last 22 innings) and Salman Agha (Pakistan’s highest scorer in tri-series in February) have been in fine form in ODI cricket and this augurs well for the hosts.

However, like with all Pakistan teams of the past, their chances of making the last four will depend on their fast bowlers – on the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Afridi is the leading wicket-taker in ODIs since 2023 with 63 dismissals in just 30 matches while Rauf has been brilliant in the death overs with a strike rate of 13 and economy of 6.5 in this time-frame.

Pakistan have a decent record at home having won 13 of their 19 ODIs since 2021. However, this home-advantage could also turn out to be a big burden if they have an indifferent start to their campaign which begins with a tough encounter against New Zealand at Karachi.

New Zealand – Dark Horse

New Zealand’s triumph in the tri-series in Pakistan would have given a significant boost to their chances at the Champions Trophy. Kane Williamson‘s form – he scored 225 runs in the series with a hundred and a fifty – would be the biggest positive for New Zealand from the series. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell – both excellent players of spin – would be the two other batters to watch out for in Pakistan. Mitchell is the leading scorer for New Zealand in ODIs since 2023 with five tons in 30 innings at an average of close to 50 and strike rate of almost 100!

Matt Henry will lead the pace attack and has been New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker in the last couple of years with 39 dismissals in 24 matches at a little less than 25 apiece. Skipper, Mitchell Santner will be key in the middle overs and has also bagged 30 wickets at an economy of 4.76 since 2023.

New Zealand’s ability to raise their game in big ICC events and punch above their weight will make them the Dark Horse for the tournament. They have made the semi-final of the three previous 50-over World Cups and two of the last three T20 World Cups. 

Absence of pace trio will hurt Australia

Australia has big reasons to worry ahead of the tournament. Not only were they humiliated in the bilateral series in Sri Lanka with their batting unit folding like nine pins but they will also be without the services of their pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the Champions Trophy.

The Australian batting line-up completely collapsed in their last four ODIs against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and failed to touch 170 even once. Their over-dependency on Travis Head for a quick start at the top of the order cannot be overstated. The left-hander is their highest impact batter since 2023 with 840 runs in 19 matches at an average of 52.5 and strike rate of 128.

In the absence of the quicks, the onus of leading the bowling unit will be on Adam Zampa. The leg spinner has been in tremendous form in ODI cricket and is Australia’s leading wicket-taker since 2023 with 54 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 28.3. He was Australia’s highest wicket-taker of the 2023 World Cup.

England look at sea in the 50-over format

England have come a full circle in ODI cricket and are now exactly where they were after their early exit from the 2015 World Cup. They had a horrid 2023 World Cup finishing 7th on the table and have been in poor form in 50-over cricket in the last couple of years. England have just won 14 and lost 20 of their last 35 matches and were thrashed 3-0 by India in their last bilateral series.

The batting is a major cause of concern for England. Barring Ben Duckett, none of their other batters average above 40 since 2023. The combined batting average of their top 6 places them in the bottom cluster in this time-frame.

Top-order woes for South Africa

South Africa have had a tough run post the 2023 World Cup in India. They have lost 10 of their 14 matches which includes a home-series defeat at the hands of Afghanistan! They fared poorly in the recent tri-series in Pakistan losing to the hosts and New Zealand.

South Africa has big issues with their top and middle order with a combined average of just 28.21 in their last 14 matches. The bowling has not fared better either with an average of 34.95 placing them in the bottom cluster in this time-frame. 

Prediction

India are expected to win all their encounters, top Group A and storm into the semi-final. This essentially means that the tournament opener between Pakistan and New Zealand could well be a shootout for the second semi-final spot from the group. Australia know how to raise their game in the big ICC events and should prevail in Group B which means that the clash between England and South Africa is a potential quarter-final. Unless, of course, Afghanistan are planning to write their own script!

 

Who are the favourites to win Champions Trophy 2025? With the top eight teams in the world vying for the coveted title, predicting a clear-cut winner is a hard task. ODI World Cup champions Australia are without four front-line players due to injuries and retirement, while T20 World Cup champions India are without their best bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan’s form is also not good after a loss in the tri-series final at home. Keeping all that in mind, predicting semi-finalists for the Champions Trophy 2025 is a hard task. 

However, former Pakistan player Kamran Akmal, who also served as Pakistan Cricket Board selector, has picked India, New Zealand, England and South Africa as the potential semi-finalists. Akmal said that there are many loopholes in the Pakistan side. 

“Pakistan ki team aisi hai chal jaaye toh chand tak, warna shaam tak. Our team has many loopholes. The bowling is struggling. Spinners are not there. The openers are struggling. I don’t know what the selectors and the captain thought. Even our chairman gave his approval. Let’s see how things unfold. The rest of the teams look much more balanced,” Kamran Akmal told HT.

“We could have announced a better team. I think India, New Zealand, England and South Africa will make the semi-finals. Australia is depleted because of injuries to five key players. I don’t know the thought process behind picking such a Pakistan team. The chairman hasn’t played that much cricket; he doesn’t understand matters, perhaps, so he gave his approval for such a team. India look clear favourites; they deserve to play the final. But I can’t say the same about Pakistan. If they make the semi-final, I would consider it a big achievement.”‘

Akmal also commented on the India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry. 

“India and Pakistan is a delicate matter. Whatever happens, it has to be at the top level. India toured Pakistan in 2004 and 2006, and their team also came here for the 2008 Asia Cup. But people like you and me will continue to be sad about the teams not playing in each other’s countries. We have also toured India many times, but I think it will remain a dream to see India and Pakistan playing in both countries. Just the cricket-loving public will suffer,” said Akmal.

Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy: 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.

The Champions Trophy begins from Wednesday after a turbulent build-up that saw the tournament split between Pakistan and Dubai, and with England facing calls to boycott their match against Afghanistan. The event, regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game, runs until March 9 and is the first global cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades. India’s matches will however be played in the United Arab Emirates after the sport’s financial superpower refused to visit their neighbour over long-standing political tensions.

A month-long impasse ended in December when the International Cricket Council said that India would play their games in Dubai.

It raises the prospect of the final of the eight-nation showpiece taking place there, rather than in Pakistan, if India get that far — a good chance given they are favourites to lift the trophy. 

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who only face off in international competitions because of the politics, clash in Dubai on February 23 in the group phase.

England play Afghanistan three days later in Lahore in a match that has been met with a backlash in some quarters in Britain.

More than 160 British politicians called for a boycott in response to the Taliban government’s ban on women in sport.

England Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson vowed the match would go ahead, saying a “coordinated international response” by the cricket community would achieve more than unilateral action.  

The Champions Trophy will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

Karachi and Rawalpindi are the other Pakistani cities that will stage games.

Pakistan became a no-go area for foreign teams after the visiting Sri Lankan squad were attacked by gunmen in 2009, leaving eight people dead and wounding several touring players.

But with improved security across most of the country, international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2020.

India favourites

India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh form Group A while Australia, England, Afghanistan and South Africa are in Group B. 

Two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals in Dubai and Lahore.

Pakistan are reigning champions, having defeated India in the final in 2017 at The Oval in London.

But it is two-time winners India who are favourites, with superstar batsman Virat Kohli hoping to overcome a poor run of form by his sky-high standards.

It could be the 36-year-old’s last hurrah on the international stage, with captain Rohit Sharma also likely to retire after the tournament.

“India is playing superb all-round cricket and so are among the favourites for the Champions Trophy,” former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar told AFP.

“The other teams, in my opinion, to watch out for are defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.”

India will however be missing ace pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia beat hosts India to win the one-day World Cup in 2023 but they are missing several key players.

Their formidable pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all out.

Coupled with the sudden retirement from ODIs of Marcus Stoinis and injury to Mitchell Marsh — both key all-rounders — and Australia suddenly look vulnerable.

They were well beaten 2-0 in Sri Lanka in a two-match series last week. Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan will open the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy with a match against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.

The co-hosts are unpredictable, as they showed in the last edition of the tournament, losing to India by 124 runs in the opening match before winning the final against them by 180 runs.

England go into the competition under a cloud, having been outclassed by India in both a T20 and one-day series in the lead-up.

With quality spinners led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan are dangerous.

They shocked England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year. 

Johannesburg, South Africa:

Muhsin Hendricks, considered the world’s first openly gay imam, was shot dead Saturday near the southern city of Gqeberha, South African police said. The imam, who ran a mosque intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims, was in a car with another person when a vehicle stopped in front of them and blocked their exit, police said.

“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” the Eastern Cape force said in a statement. 

“Thereafter they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle was shot and killed.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed to AFP the authenticity of a video on social media that purported to show a targeted killing in Bethelsdorp near Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

“The motive for the murder is unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation,” police said, urging anybody with information to come forward.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association denounced the killing. “The ILGA World family is in deep shock at the news of the murder of Muhsin Hendricks, and calls on authorities to thoroughly investigate what we fear may be a hate crime,” executive director Julia Ehrt said in a statement.

Hendricks, involved in various LGBTQ advocacy groups, came out as gay in 1996. He ran the Al-Ghurbaah mosque at Wynberg near his birthplace Cape Town.

The mosque provides “a safe space in which queer Muslims and marginalised women can practise Islam”, its website states.

Hendricks, the subject of a 2022 documentary called “The Radical”, had previously alluded to threats against him.

But he insisted that “the need to be authentic” was “greater than the fear to die”. 

South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates, with some 28,000 murders in the year to February 2024, according to police data.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)