The cricketing landscape of 2025 is very different to 1998, when the ICC decided to launch the knock out tournament in Dhaka 27 years ago. In the years before T20, it was the ODI game that was the crowd puller and money maker for the ICC, and the purpose behind the Champions Trophy was to generate more revenue through another ICC event and to also promote the game in developing nations. From generating revenue of approx. £10mn in 1998 to securing $3 Billion in broadcast rights alone for its events from 2024-2031, highlights the progress the game has made commercially.

This years tournament takes an ICC event back to a part of the sub continent starved of a global tournament for 28 years. The people of Pakistan are as passionate about the game we love as anyone. Their team itself is as volatile as the stock market and one might be forgiven if they forget that the co-hosts are actually defending champions. It seems like ancient history, when Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted the 2017 trophy at the Oval on a very warm Sunday afternoon in London. With streams of disappointed Indian fans leaving the stadium ( I Was One of them), while the Pakistani fans rejoiced in their deserved moment of glory. Will history repeat itself?

Im backing a team in green to win it, but which one?

Afghanistan

In 2010 they were the team everyone was happy to welcome to an ICC tournament for the first time. They have gone from strength to strength and showed their capabilities and resilience in the last two tournaments. Narrowly missing the semis in 2023, to claiming the semi spot last year in the West Indies. They will feel right at home with conditions in Lahore and Karachi.

Ones to watch: Even though they have lost Ghazanfar to injury, their array of spinners will be very difficult to get away. I’m backing Rashid Khan to rediscover his best form and have a real impact. He’s second to Adil Rashid as the highest wicket taker since 2015 amongst spinners with 198 scalps, but with an astonishing average of 19! Their batting and temperament has greatly improved over the years and was evident in the 2023 world cup. Gurbaz at the top of the order will be key to give the quick starts, and hes averaging nearly 50 since the 2023 world cup.

Expected Finish: Semi Final – I think they can beat 2 out of their 3 opponents in these conditions and will get into the semis.

Australia

ODI World Champions, ICC World Test Champions, this is the most successful cricket team of all time. A few months ago, they would have been nailed on Semi Finalists and favourites to go all the way. However with 5 key withdrawals, the make up of the squad and the XI drastically change. They still boast a strong batting line up, but their bowlers will struggle. They might well adopt a bat second approach in Pakistan and hope their batters can chase them to victories.

Ones to watch: Leg spinners are going to be critical wicket takers for all sides, and Australia will depend on Zampa to be their ace. He’s been one of the most consistent performers in the last 10 years, 3rd highest wickets and 2nd highest strike rate amongst spinners. Its very hard to look past Travis Head in the batting line up. He’s really taken over David Warner’s role and even elevated it to the next level. A strike rate of 104, average of 44, in the last two years he’s going to be one to watch up top!

Expected Finish: Group Stage – This is a punt, as many pundits back the Aussies to still win the tournament. Personally i think the squad is too depleted especially the bowling, and might struggle.

Bangladesh

The optimism which surrounded the team in the mid 2010s has started to evaporate as they prepare a new generation of cricketers to shine on the world map. They have lost 5 out of 6 ODIs they have played since the 2023 world cup. Losing the likes of Shakib, Tamim, Mortaza etc is not easy, but Shanto and team will need more practice and game time against the top teams to compete in tournaments such as this in the future.

Ones to watch: Im going to pick two bowlers as Im excited to see how they get on, Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain. A genuine quick in Rana and a leg spinner could prove to be very effective in these conditions. They could well be the future for Bangladesh, and this tournament will be a great platform to kick start their careers.

Expected Finish: Group Stage – They have lost or are on the way to losing they golden generation, and I don’t see them threatening as consistently as we have seen in the past.

England

A side in transition, and this tournament has probably come too early for them. Strength would be to get hard flat pitches which will suit their batters and fast bowlers. If it becomes a competition of 350 vs 350, they might have a chance. The first game against Australia i would say is a must win, given they have come off a 3-0 whitewash against India.

Ones to watch: The best spinner in white ball cricket today, Adil Rashid will be England’s trump card and wicket taker. He’s been a cut above the rest over the last 10 years and will have to shine once again if England are to have a sniff. The resurgence of Ben Duckett has been heartening to see. He threatened to dominate a few times in the India series, and I see him dominating at the top.

Expected Finish: Group Stage – I dont see a plan in the England ODI setup. The whole go hard for 50 overs is old news, and to be fair in these conditions not sure they have the capabilities to do so. A lack for a spinner backing up Rashid, will hurt them too.

India

On paper one of the favourites for the tournament, coming on the back of a 3-0 drubbing on England, the mood is high, but the post Dravid era has been anything but smooth. Losing to Sri Lanka, whitewashed in the tests at home to NZ and then the drubbing in the BGT by Australia. This is a big litmus test for Gambhir and experienced guard of the team (Kohli, Rohit, Jadeja etc)

Ones to watch: The highest run scorer in ODIs since 2021 with over 2328 runs with an average of 58, Shubman Gill is the new super star. He’s the one who is going to take the mantle from Kohli and Rohit. Perhaps the handover starts here. The other key player will be Kuldeep Yadav. On pitches in Dubai a wrist spinner like him could be the x-factor for the men in blue

Expected Finish: Semi Final – Without Bumrah, I think the quicks might struggle when the going gets tough, I’m also not convinced on the number of spinners and the batting order being used at the moment.

New Zealand

Always considered dark horses for every tournament, and no game against them is easy. They have been the nearly men in ICC ODI tournaments, having made at least the semis of each WC and Champions trophy since 2007 (apart from 2013 and 2017). They also have won this tournament in 2000, but will it be their time again in 2025?

Ones to watch: The ex captain Kane Williamson and current skipper Mitch Santner. Both know their games inside out, had a great tri series and are hitting form at the right time for the Kiwis.

Expected Finish: Group Stage – They are more than capable of beating both India and Pakistan, but I think they will come up short. No leg spinner in their side and they lack the x-factor for some of the placid wickets they might encounter. The India game in Dubai might well be a knockout for the semi.

Pakistan

The hosts, and a team who will want to do their country proud. Even though they have struggled in Test Matches and were very poor in the T20 World Cup in West Indies, they have had a strong set of results in ODIs since the 2023 world cup. They beat Australia away and whitewashed South Africa. The Tri series loss last week I think shouldn’t be seen as a barometer.

Ones to watch: Their Mr Dependable for a number of years, and now without the burden of captaincy, can Babar truly cement his place as a Pakistan great? I also think Shaheen Shah Afridi is due a big tournament. Since the drubbing of the Asia Cup he had a decent 2024 with an average of 17, but has once again struggled this year with an economy on 8+, can he regroup for the big stage?

Expected Finish: Finalists – If they can keep the noise out, maintain the status quo and limit the drama they have a great chance. I do think they might just fall short however.

South Africa

Winners of the inaugural edition in 1998, and that was the last time they won an ICC event. Many great South African teams have come and gone, and none of them could capture the glory. Times are changing, they made a final last year and were very close. They have also made the test final later in June this year, so confidence is high.

Ones to watch: They have a very experienced team with plenty of big hitters. I’m backing Klaasen to have a big say in the tournament. His hitting of spin during the middle overs and experience of the IPL make him a real danger man. I also think Kagiso Rabada will have his moment in this tournament, he could play the role Bumrah played for India in the T20 World Cup last year.

Expected Finish: CHAMPIONS – I’m going to back them go all the way here. This team has been together for 2 years now and their experience in 2023 and the T20 final will hold them in good stead. Well rounded team, for these conditions and they might slip under the radar. I think the time for proteas glory is now.

This might well be the last time we see a champions trophy, in its current form part of the ICC future tours programme. With the global fixture congestion, and the growing list of franchise tournaments, here’s hoping for one last hurrah!