2025 Champions Trophy tournament likely to be played without two big teams

Cricket fans around the world are engrossed in the ODI World Cup 2023 happening in India. The next two years will witness more global events which is set to bring more excitement to the fans. Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy tournament in 2025 after the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA.

It has come to light that the standings during the ODI World Cup 2023 will be of prime focus. In such a scenario the participation of few huge cricket teams could come under huge threat.

The Pakistan cricket team are the current holders of the Champions Trophy. The men in green had won the tournament after beating India in the final during in 2017. Sarfaraz Ahmed was the skipper during that tournament as India lost by a massive 180-run margin.

Participation status of a few teams under cloud

England and West Indies could be in danger of missing out on the Champions Trophy to be held in 2025 in Pakistan. The reason for this new rule that has been put in place by the Apex Cricket Body.

The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to see eight teams vie for the second-biggest title in ODI Cricket. In such a scenario England the current ODI World Cup winners could miss out on playing the tournament. As per the new rules, only the top eight team-ranked teams during the ODI World Cup 2023 will get direct entry. England are currently ranked number 10 in the table after a disastrous showing in the ongoing tournament.

In a report carried out by ESPN Cricinfo, a source from the Apex Cricket Body confirmed the latest rule change. This new amendment came into effect during a meeting which was held in 2021 by members of the Apex Cricket Body. There was a common consensus to bring the Champions Trophy back in 2025 as well as the new rule came into effect.

Teams like Ireland, West Indies, and Zimbabwe are also facing the threat of missing out on the tournament. Before the India versus England game on Sunday in Lucknow, Bangladesh and England were at the bottom of the points table.

After their loss to the Netherlands, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said “Not the semi-final hope. The semi-final is not a possibility. At least, do a little better. Suppose you have to be in the top eight if you want to play in the Champions Trophy. So there are still three matches left considering that in mind”

Pakistan will be given direct entry into the 2025 Champions Trophy tournament as they are the hosts. The rest of the top seven ranked teams during the ODI World Cup 2023 will also be given direct entry. At this stage, Afghanistan and the Netherlands are also in the race for direct qualification for the event in Pakistan.