The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to return after eight years, bringing together eight of the world’s top cricket teams. The tournament will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, with matches spread over 19 days. Cricket fans are eager to see which teams will make it to the semifinals. Zimbabwe’s T20I captain and all-rounder, Sikandar Raza, recently shared his predictions about the four semifinalists.
Tournament Format and Groups
The Champions Trophy 2025 consists of two groups of four teams:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand
- Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. The tournament will conclude with the final match on March 9, 2025. Every match is important as teams compete for the prestigious title and the chance to wear the iconic white jackets.
Raza’s Predictions for the Semifinals
In an interview with Cricket Pakistan, Sikandar Raza confidently named his picks for the four semifinalists. According to him, the teams most likely to advance are:
- India
- Pakistan
- Australia
- New Zealand
Raza emphasized the strength of India and Pakistan, highlighting their ability to perform well in high-pressure tournaments. He believes both teams have the talent and depth to dominate in this format. Australia and New Zealand also made his list due to their consistent performances in international cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Views
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar shared a similar opinion but went further to identify Pakistan as the top contender. Gavaskar believes the home advantage gives Pakistan a significant edge in this tournament. Speaking on Star Sports, he said, “The tag of favorites should be given to the home team Pakistan as it’s not easy to beat any team in their home conditions.”
Gavaskar also praised India for their strong showing in the ODI World Cup 2023. He acknowledged their remarkable ten-match winning streak before their loss in the final but still considers Pakistan the stronger team for the Champions Trophy 2025.