In a historic development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially signed the hosting rights agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the much-anticipated return of the Champions Trophy in 2025. The agreement was finalized during a signing ceremony in Dubai on Friday, with Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, and Jonathan Hall, ICC General Counsel, leading the proceedings at the ICC headquarters.
The PCB has taken proactive measures by notifying the government about the essential security requirements to ensure the safety of international teams participating in the Champions Trophy. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, during a recent meeting with the PCB Management Committee Chairman, affirmed the support of security agencies in guaranteeing the successful hosting of this prestigious event in 2025.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marks the much-awaited comeback of the tournament after an eight-year hiatus, with the last edition held in 2017. Notably, some Test-playing nations, including Sri Lanka and West Indies, were absent from the global tournament, with Sri Lanka falling short of securing a top-eight position in the ICC World Cup 2023 points table.
Set to follow the One Day International (ODI) format, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature a total of eight teams. The qualification process includes the top seven teams from the ICC ODI World Cup group stage, along with the host nation, Pakistan, securing their positions for this highly anticipated tournament
The confirmed participating teams for the ICC Champions 2025 Trophy are:
1. Pakistan (hosts)
2. India
3. South Africa
4. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Afghanistan
7. England
8. Bangladesh
As cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await this grand return, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the best of ODI cricket on the international stage. Stay tuned for updates on this monumental event that brings cricketing nations together for an unforgettable competition.