Courtesy: ICC
With the Champions Trophy 2025 less than a week away, fans’ expectations from their respective teams are high as they want their sides to put in some exceptional efforts in the upcoming event, to win the coveted trophy. The distinguished 50-over tournament is returning almost after eight years and cricket fans are looking to give a treat to their eyes with the competition, which will be held for 19 days.
Compared to the World Cup, the Champions Trophy, which is also known as the mini-World Cup, is limited to eight highly-ranked ODI teams but fans of the sport will get to witness ultimate cricketing action through this competition. As cricket supporters are gearing up to watch the humongous event to be held in Pakistan and Dubai, they should be apprised of some facts which are lesser known.
Here are five things you didn’t know about the ICC Champions Trophy:
5. Associate nations participated in the tournament until 2004
From 2000 to 2004, associate nations were also allowed to participate in the ODI tournament which was played every two years then. The Netherlands and the USA gave their attendance in the 2002 and 2004 editions of the tournament respectively. The Dutch side faced Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy 2002 and lost both contests with heavy margins. The same happened with the USA as they faced humiliating defeats at the hands of Australia and New Zealand.
4. England are yet to win their maiden title
England, who have hosted the most editions of the Champions Trophy, have never won the competition. Their best came in 2004 and 2013 when they qualified for the finals but lost to West Indies and India respectively. In the 2009 and 2017 installments, they reached semi-finals but failed to hold their nerves.
3. Pakistan was the hosts for sixth edition of ODI tournament
Pakistan were given the hosting rights for the sixth installment of the Champions Trophy, which was to be held in 2009. However, the sub-continent nation was stripped of the hosting rights as it faced severe security issues in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks that happened in Mumbai. Eventually, the competition was shifted to South Africa, who hosted the event from September 22 to October 5, 2009.
2. Australia haven't won any match in the tournament after winning their second trophy in 2009
Australia haven’t won any Champions Trophy matches following their second-title triumph in 2009. In 2013, the Aussies got eliminated after losing to the hosts England and Sri Lanka in the group stage. Their failure continued in 2017 and this time, they exited the competition after their 40-run defeat against England in the pool game. Before the unsuccess against the English side, Australia’s game against New Zealand and Bangladesh also got washed out.
1. South Africa have won their only ICC title with the Champions Trophy 1998 success
Back in 1998, when the Champions Trophy’s inaugural edition was played in Bangladesh, South Africa showcased their mettle and pulled off the trophy after beating West Indies by four wickets in Dhaka. Jacques Kallis played a vital role in the victory with his 164 runs and eight wickets in the competition. The Proteas’ scintillating win is their only success in ICC tournaments.
