Key Matches to Watch at the Champions Trophy

By Umesh Kumar

I am a Passionate Cricketer, Writer and Believer who Happy to serve you from this Platform.

Posted: February 18, 2025
Last updated: February 18, 2025

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The highly anticipated Champions Trophy kicks off on Wednesday, with the world’s top eight teams vying for supremacy in cricket. Hosted across Pakistan and Dubai, this prestigious tournament will run until March 9. Notably, this is the first significant cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades, adding to the excitement surrounding the matches.

One of the key encounters to look forward to is the match between Australia and England. Scheduled to take place in Lahore on Saturday, this clash of Ashes rivals promises to be thrilling. However, Australia heads into this match with a depleted squad as key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are absent. England, on the other hand, is undergoing a transition phase under the new leadership of Test coach Brendon McCullum, following a challenging 3-0 series loss in India.

Another significant match is between India and Pakistan, set to occur in Dubai on Sunday. This fixture is always a focal point for cricket fans worldwide, with tickets selling out rapidly. Due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan, all their matches will be held in the UAE. This match holds additional significance as it may be the last international appearance for Rohit Sharma, a veteran star in Indian cricket.

Lastly, England’s match against Afghanistan has garnered attention off the field as well. There were calls for England to boycott the game due to Afghanistan’s internal issues related to women’s rights under Taliban rule. However, England’s captain, Jos Buttler, has dismissed these calls, focusing on the game itself. Afghanistan’s team is ranked eighth in ODIs and recently reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals, making them a formidable opponent.

These matches are expected to offer plenty of action and narrative, especially with the backdrop of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, marking a historic moment in cricket. India’s decisions, England’s leadership challenges, and Australia’s squad limitations further add layers to the unfolding story of this tournament.