There is something riding on every ball in the Champions Trophy: Shane Watson
The tournament returns after more than seven years.
Champions Trophy was last played in 2017 and the tournament is back after a hiatus of over seven years. The latest edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held from February 19 and it will be hosted in Pakistan and the UAE, the latter will act as co-hosts as the Indian team will play all their matches in Dubai. Pakistan will enter as defending champions as they had beaten India in the final of the 2017 edition.
Every team will have three games to play in the group stages and the top two teams from the two groups will reach the knockouts. A total of eight teams will be vying for the coveted trophy and former Australia all-rounder, Shane Watson has termed every ball played in the tournament with having ‘something riding’ on it. He also termed the Champions Trophy as a ‘special tournament’.
Also Read: India to announce squads for Champions Trophy, England series soon
"Champions Trophy is a critically important tournament in world cricket because the ODI World Cup comes only in 4 years. Champions Trophy was great because it broke up those 4 years. Champions Trophy was a special tournament from a playing perspective because there was always something riding on every single game," Shane Watson told Star Sports.
"When you are playing bilateral series throughout the year, it can get a bit stale. But when you play an ICC event where there is only 8 teams where there is something riding on every ball, as a team you have to hit the ground running early otherwise you will be out," he further added.
Full Schedule of Champions Trophy 2025:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb | Pakistan v New Zealand | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 20 Feb | Bangladesh v India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 21 Feb | Afghanistan v South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 22 Feb | Australia v England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 23 Feb | Pakistan v India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 24 Feb | Bangladesh v New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 25 Feb | Australia v South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 26 Feb | Afghanistan v England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 27 Feb | Pakistan v Bangladesh | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 28 Feb | Afghanistan v Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 1 Mar | South Africa v England | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 2 Mar | New Zealand v India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 4 Mar | Semi-final 1* | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 5 Mar | Semi-final 2** | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 9 Mar | Final*** | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
- Semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify.
- Semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify.
- Final - unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai
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