The 9th edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is starting from February 19 in Pakistan. The defending champions Pakistan are poised to demonstrate their capability to retain the ICC Champions Trophy with the team placed in Group A alongside India, New Zealand and Bangladesh while the Group B consist of Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan.

In 2017, Pakistan triumphed over their arch-rivals, India, to secure the prestigious global 50-over title under Sarfraz Ahmed. Now under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, the team showcases an intriguing combination of youthful talent and seasoned experience.

Unfortunately, Pakistan will be without the services of Saim Ayub, who is currently recuperating from an ankle injury sustained during the team’s tour of South Africa. Fakhar Zaman, a key player from the 2017 Champions Trophy, is making his return and is expected to lead the attack.

The ICC Champions Trophy has provided cricket enthusiasts with numerous unforgettable moments. From South Africa’s sole ICC trophy win in 1998 to Pakistan’s unexpected victory in 2017, this tournament has highlighted the unpredictable nature of cricket. Featuring a blend of established powerhouses like Australia and India, alongside underdogs such as New Zealand and Pakistan claiming the title, the Champions Trophy continues to hold a significant place in cricketing history. Fans eagerly anticipate its return in future cricket calendars.

The ICC Champions Trophy was initially called the ICC KnockOut, is a distinguished international cricket competition orchestrated by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Since its inception in 1998, this tournament has delivered exhilarating cricket action and unforgettable moments for fans. Throughout the years, various countries have claimed victory, proudly adding this esteemed trophy to their collection. Below is a list of Champions Trophy winners from its inception to the final tournament in 2017, which was won by Pakistan.

The inaugural edition of the tournament, then known as the ICC KnockOut, took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This event followed a straight knockout format, featuring all Test-playing nations. South Africa emerged victorious, securing the title by defeating the West Indies in the final by four wickets. This triumph remains South Africa’s sole ICC trophy and is often regarded as one of their most significant achievements in international cricket. Jacques Kallis was instrumental in their success, scoring a crucial 113 not out in the semifinal and making valuable contributions with both bat and ball throughout the tournament.

The 2000 edition, held in Nairobi, Kenya, witnessed New Zealand’s rise as the champions. The Kiwis triumphed over India by four wickets in a thrilling final.

The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, hosted in Sri Lanka, concluded with a shared title. The final, contested between India and Sri Lanka, was washed out due to persistent rain over two days, leading to both teams being declared joint winners.

The West Indies, a team with a storied cricketing history, clinched their first and only Champions Trophy title in 2004.

The tournament was hosted in England, with the final held at The Oval in London. In a dramatic showdown, the West Indies faced England, successfully chasing down a target of 218 runs. In 2006, Australia added the ICC Champions Trophy to their illustrious list of accomplishments. Hosted in India, the tournament concluded with Australia delivering a dominant performance in the final against the West Indies in Mumbai. The Aussies restricted the West Indies to 138 runs and chased the target with ease, securing an 8-wicket victory. This triumph marked the beginning of Australia’s dominance in limited-overs cricket, as they went on to win consecutive ICC tournaments in the following years.

Australia extended their winning streak by securing the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. Held in South Africa, the Aussies successfully defended their title by defeating New Zealand by six wickets in the final. Australia’s bowlers, spearheaded by Brett Lee and Shane Watson, were instrumental in their campaign. Watson’s match-winning century in the final was a decisive factor in Australia’s victory, making them the first team to win consecutive Champions Trophy titles.

The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, hosted in England, is often regarded as one of the most thrilling editions of the tournament. India emerged as the champions, defeating the host nation, England, in a nail-biting final. Due to rain, the match was shortened to 20 overs per side, adding to the intensity of the contest. India set a target of 130 runs, and despite England’s valiant effort, they fell short by five runs.

The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy marked Pakistan’s inaugural victory in this tournament. Hosted in England and Wales, the event witnessed Pakistan delivering a surprising and emphatic performance by defeating their arch-rivals, India, in the final by an impressive margin of 180 runs. Under the leadership of Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan’s young team excelled, with Fakhar Zaman’s century and Mohammad Amir’s devastating bowling spell playing pivotal roles in their triumph. This historic win, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated achievements in cricket, provided a significant boost for Pakistan cricket, especially as they had entered the tournament ranked eighth.

Consistency is the main issue for the green shirts, Pakistan has often struggled with consistency, especially against top-tier teams. Being defending champions could add extra pressure, and Pakistan will need to handle expectations well.

Maintaining fitness and form of key players and improve the fielding will also play vital role for the team performance.

Teams like India, England, Australia, and New Zealand are strong contenders and have depth in both batting and bowling.

It’s a general perception that Pakistan’s bowling unit can help them win the coveted prize. They have a dream-pace attack and versatility on offer. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf can torment teams. Mohammad Hasnain is an able backup customer. Bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is another pace option in the ranks while off-spinner Abrar Ahmed will be sole specialist spinner.

Honestly, the Pakistan cricket team will face a tough task of retaining the Champions Trophy 2025 with the performance showed in the tri-series. Despite a host, that provides a significant advantage, as the team is familiar with the conditions and enjoys immense support from home crowds, but green shirts inconsistent performances create doubts for winning the trophy.

But if key players perform to their potential and young players make their 100 per cent, especially batsmen, Pakistan could very well defend their title and lift the Champions Trophy once again.

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