ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Zaheer Khan kicks aside Pakistan, predicts CT semi-finalists

Former Team India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has predicted the four teams that could make it to the semi-finals of the upcoming edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. Zaheer Khan has named the two most successful teams in the Champions Trophy, India and Australia, along with New Zealand and South Africa.

India and Australia have been intense rivals across formats over the past decade. The two teams clashed in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, where Australia secured the title. Australia have won the Champions Trophy twice (2006 and 2009), while India clinched the title in 2013 and shared it in 2002.

Prestigious ICC Champions Trophy Set to Return After Eight-Year Hiatus

The prestigious ICC Champions Trophy is set to return in 2025 after an eight-year gap. Eight top teams will compete for the coveted title during the upcoming tournament, which will be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19. Team India will play all their matches, including knockouts, in Dubai.

Australia and India are the most successful teams in the event’s history, while Pakistan won the last edition in 2017. India, known for their strong recent form in limited-overs cricket, enter the 2025 edition as favorites, having reached the knockout stages of every ICC ODI event since their 2011 World Cup win.

There’s No Doubt India Will Be in the Semi-Finals - Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan was confident in India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. He also named Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa as his other top contenders. Speaking during a media interaction hosted by Lucknow Super Giants, Zaheer revealed the reasons for his predictions.

“There’s no doubt in the fact that India will be in the Semi-Finals; apart from them Australia might be seen, New Zealand has always done well in these tournaments. My fourth pick will be South Africa, who have also been promising in white-ball cricket,” said Zaheer Khan while replying to a query from CricTracker during a media interaction arranged by Lucknow Super Giants.

When asked about Pakistan's chances in the tournament, the former pacer highlighted that the team has struggled with consistency in recent ODI matches. He stated, "Pakistan aren't playing consistent cricket at the moment."

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Set to Kick Off on February 19

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, with Pakistan hosting the tournament and India playing their matches in the UAE. The opening game will feature Pakistan against New Zealand.

The eight participating teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while England, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan have been placed in Group B.

The semi-finals will take place on March 4 and 5, followed by the final on March 9. Pakistan, the defending champions, won their first Champions Trophy title in 2017, defeating India by 180 runs in the final.

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