ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Kevin Pietersen picks the 4 semi-finalists

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has shared his prediction for the semifinalists of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to commence on February 19. Kevin Pietersen ignored England and Australia while naming the four teams that could reach the semifinals of the eight-team tournament.

India and Australia are the only two-time winners of the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, England, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh have yet to clinch the title. Pakistan will start as the defending champions of the tournament. The Men in Green beat India by 180 runs in the final to secure their first Champions Trophy.

Kevin Pietersen Reveals His ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final Picks

Speaking on Star Sports, Kevin Pietersen shared his semi-final picks for the Champions Trophy, which will be played in Pakistan and Dubai. He excluded ODI World Cup champions Australia and his former team England from his top four.

Kevin Pietersen backed India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa to reach the knockout stage. The former cricketer cited Australia's injury struggles and England's recent poor form, including a 0-3 ODI series loss to India, as factors impacting their chances in the tournament.

“I mean, this is so hard. It really is. But with Mitchell Starc pulling out, I’m gonna say India, Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand,” said Kevin Pietersen on Star Sports.

Champions Trophy 2025 Set to Begin on February 19

The Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19. Notably, matches of the marquee tournament will be played in Dubai and Pakistan in a hybrid model. India will play in Dubai, including one semifinal and possibly the final if they qualify. The final will be held in Lahore unless India reaches it.

Pakistan will kick off the campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. India will play their first match against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. South Africa will take on Afghanistan in the third match of the tournament. England and Australia will lock horns in the fourth match.

My Dark Horse Is Afghanistan - Parthiv Patel

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has named Afghanistan as the dark horse for the upcoming Champions Trophy. He stated that India and Pakistan will secure the semi-final spots from Group A. Parthiv predicted South Africa and Australia to qualify for the knockout stage from Group B.

While discussing his predictions on Star Sports, he highlighted that a standout innings from Glenn Maxwell was the only thing that kept Afghanistan from reaching the semifinals in the ODI World Cup 2023.

"There'll be India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia just given the record in the ICC trophies. But my dark horse is Afghanistan. They've got they've played really good cricket in a 50-over format. It was just Glenn Maxwell’s innings otherwise I think they were right there in the race to reach the semifinals. So you know Afghanistan could come in and surprise all other teams."

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