Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has shared his predictions for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be held in Pakistan and the UAE. In a recent interview, Pietersen named India, Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand as the top four teams likely to reach the semi-finals, ruling out Australia due to the absence of their star fast bowlers.
Pietersen’s Top Four Teams for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- India
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- New Zealand
Pietersen highlighted that Australia’s chances have been significantly impacted by the withdrawal of key players, including Mitchell Starc, who pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons. This follows the earlier decisions of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who opted out due to injury concerns.
Australia’s Bowling Woes
Australia will be without their famed pace trio in the tournament:
- Mitchell Starc: Withdrew for personal reasons.
- Pat Cummins: Ruled out due to injury.
- Josh Hazlewood: Also unavailable due to fitness issues.
This has led Pietersen to exclude Australia from his list of favorites, despite their strong track record in ICC events.
Pakistan’s Campaign in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
As the host nation, Pakistan will kick off their campaign against New Zealand on February 19 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The Green Shirts will then face arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai, followed by a match against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Key Players: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
- Full Squad: 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 Afridi.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule Highlights
The tournament will feature day-night matches across Pakistan and the UAE. Here are the key fixtures:
- 19 February: Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi
- 20 February: Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai
- 23 February: Pakistan vs. India, Dubai (Blockbuster Clash)
- 27 February: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
- 9 March: Final, Lahore (or Dubai if India qualifies)
Key Matches to Watch
- Pakistan vs. New Zealand (Tournament Opener)
- Pakistan vs. India (High-Voltage Rivalry)
- Australia vs. England (Traditional Ashes Rivalry)
- Semi-finals and Final (Knockout Stages)
Final Thoughts
Kevin Pietersen’s predictions have sparked discussions among cricket fans, with India and Pakistan emerging as strong contenders for the title. The absence of Australia’s star pacers could indeed impact their performance, while South Africa and New Zealand are expected to bring their A-game to the tournament.
Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the Pakistan vs. India clash, which is always a highlight of any ICC event. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an exciting tournament, with the final set to be held in Lahore on March 9, unless India qualifies, in which case it will be moved to Dubai.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
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