- By Manik Sharma
- Sun, 29 Oct 2023 06:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The illustrious Champions Trophy, steeped in a history spanning over 25 years, is set to make a grand comeback for its 9th edition in 2025. Following an eight-year hiatus, Pakistan will take the responsibility of hosts, carrying the prestigious title of defending champions.
It has been confirmed that the top seven teams in the ODI World Cup currently underway in India will qualify for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Additionally, the host nation, Pakistan, will be the eighth team in this prestigious tournament. This qualification system was approved by the ICC Board in 2021 as part of the new cycle of men's global tournaments from 2024 to 2031.
Currently, Bangladesh and England occupy the 9th and 10th positions on the ODI World Cup points table, which places them outside the top seven teams that will qualify for the Champions Trophy, along with host Pakistan. This implies that other Full-Member nations like West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Ireland, who did not make it to the 2023 ODI World Cup, will not have the opportunity to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Format of the Champions Trophy
The Champions Trophy, which will be an eight-team event in 2025, will follow a structure similar to previous editions, featuring two groups of four, semi-finals, and a final. In past editions, the top eight teams in the ODI rankings at a specified cut-off date qualified for the event. The decision to have the top seven teams from the 2023 ODI World Cup qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy was originally approved by the ICC's chief executives committee and later ratified by the ICC board.
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The revelation of this qualification system adds an extra layer of competition and urgency to the ongoing ODI World Cup, as teams will not only vie for the World Cup title but also for a coveted spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
