ICC Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand Wins Toss, Elects to Bowl First Against India

ICC Champions Trophy 2025

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first in their last group stage match against India at the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

The result of the fixture will also decide the teams that will face off in the semi-finals, with South Africa and Australia having finished as the top-two sides in Group B.

New Zealand kicked off their campaign with a win against hosts Pakistan and then defeated Bangladesh to secure qualification for the next round.

Pipped among the favourites to go all the way, India is also in red-hot form, having emerged victorious against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

“We’ll have a bowl first; looks like a good wicket. Want to put some pressure early, and hopefully, it skids on well later. We still want to win; we know we are going to be in Lahore later, but our job here is to do a job here. Daryl Mitchell comes in, and Conway misses this one,” Mitchell Santner said after winning the toss as quoted by Cricbuzz.

At the time of the toss, Men in Blue skipper Rohit Sharma said that the team had made one change for this match as they brought in Varun Chakravarthy in place of Harshit Rana.

“Was anyway looking to bat first, wanted to see what we could do upfront and then challenge our bowlers since we chased on both games. The approach will be very similar to the previous games, just trying to do the same things. One change for us – Harshit has been rested,” Rohit Sharma said.

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rour ke. (ANI)

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Skips Captains’ Meet and Photoshoot Amid Logistical Challenges

ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will not feature the traditional captains’ meet and official photoshoot, a practice typically held in the host country ahead of major ICC tournaments.

This decision marks a departure from past editions and is attributed to logistical challenges, according to ESPNcricinfo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that neither the ICC nor the board had announced an official opening ceremony. However, an event supported by the ICC will take place in Lahore on February 16, three days before the tournament’s first match. ICC officials present in Lahore at the time are expected to attend.

One of the key reasons for skipping the captains’ press conference and photoshoot is the tournament’s hybrid model, which involves matches being played across four venues in two countries. With tight scheduling, teams will arrive in Pakistan just before the competition begins. Notably, Australia is set to land on February 19, the same day as the opening match.

This decision also resolves a potential diplomatic issue regarding the presence of India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, in Pakistan. Due to political tensions, India has not played in Pakistan since 2008 and will compete in the tournament under a hybrid model, with all their matches–including a potential final–being played in Dubai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently stated that Rohit’s travel to Pakistan for a captains’ event had not been discussed and was not on the agenda.

Similar adjustments were made during the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, where logistical challenges led to the ICC replacing the traditional captains’ gathering with a digital launch. Captains’ images were projected onto New York’s Rockefeller Center instead of hosting an in-person event.

Meanwhile, the PCB is set to inaugurate two newly refurbished stadiums. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, undergoing a significant revamp, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on February 7, a day before it hosts the first ODI of a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand. Similarly, the National Stadium in Karachi will be inaugurated by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11. (ANI)

Tickets for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan Go on Sale Starting January 28

pakistan cricket team

The excitement for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is building up as tickets for the tournament go on sale starting January 28, 2025. This highly anticipated tournament will be hosted by Pakistan, marking a historic moment for the country as it prepares to welcome international cricket fans for the first global cricket event since 1996. Here’s everything you need to know about the ticket sale, tournament details, and the thrilling cricket action ahead.


1. Ticket Sales Begin on January 28

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced that tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be available for purchase starting at 13:00 Gulf Standard Time (GST) / 14:00 Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on January 28, 2025. Cricket enthusiasts around the world will be able to secure their seats online or through more than 100 outlets across Pakistan.


2. Tournament Dates and Venues

The ICC Champions Trophy will be played from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches taking place across several venues. The primary venues will include Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore in Pakistan, while matches involving India will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is a significant event for Pakistan, as it is the first time the country will host an ICC global cricket tournament in nearly three decades.


3. Group Stage and Match Details

The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups:

  • Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
  • Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan

The opening match will see Pakistan take on New Zealand in Karachi, setting the stage for a month-long cricketing extravaganza. Fans can expect high-octane action as some of the best teams in world cricket battle for the prestigious trophy.


4. Ticket Pricing and Categories

Ticket prices for the Champions Trophy will be affordable, starting at 1,000 Pakistani Rupees for general stand seating. For fans who wish to experience the action from a more exclusive vantage point, premium seating will be available starting at 1,500 Pakistani Rupees. These prices are set to make the tournament accessible to a wide range of fans, from casual spectators to die-hard cricket lovers.


5. Affordable and Accessible for All Fans

One of the main goals of the tournament organizers is to ensure that the Champions Trophy is accessible to fans of all backgrounds. Sumair Ahmad Syed, the tournament director, emphasized that the ticket pricing is designed to make the event inclusive, allowing fans from all walks of life to be part of this historic occasion.

Furthermore, the tickets will not only be available online but will also be distributed through over 100 outlets across Pakistan, making it convenient for fans to purchase them in person.


6. Ticket Information for UAE Matches

While the tournament’s matches in Pakistan are the focal point, there will also be matches held in Dubai, where India will be playing. Ticket details for these UAE-based matches will be shared in the coming days, with fans eagerly waiting for more information about how to secure their seats for these high-profile encounters.


7. Final Match Ticket Sales

The final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Dubai. Tickets for this highly anticipated match will not be available for purchase until after the first semi-final. The exact date of the final ticket release will depend on the outcome of the semi-finals, but it is sure to be one of the most-watched events of the tournament.


8. Historic Moment for Pakistan Cricket

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will hold special significance for Pakistan, as it will be the country’s first global cricket tournament since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Hosting such an event is a momentous occasion for Pakistani cricket fans and players alike, and the tournament will undoubtedly serve as a major milestone in Pakistan’s cricketing history.


9. A Glimpse of the Teams and Rivalries

The tournament will feature some of the biggest names in international cricket, and fans can expect fierce rivalries between teams. The matchup between India and Pakistan is always a highlight of any tournament, and the 2025 Champions Trophy promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in this legendary rivalry. Other exciting encounters, such as Australia vs. England and South Africa vs. New Zealand, are also set to captivate cricket fans across the world.


10. How to Buy Tickets

Fans interested in purchasing tickets can do so through the official online platform, which will go live on January 28, 2025. The tickets will also be available at over 100 physical outlets across Pakistan, offering a variety of seating options for each match. Fans are advised to act quickly, as tickets are expected to sell out fast due to the overwhelming demand for such a prestigious event.


Conclusion

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable event in the world of cricket. With tickets going on sale on January 28, fans have the chance to be part of this historic tournament in Pakistan. From affordable ticket prices to easily accessible sales points, the organizers have ensured that the tournament will be inclusive for all. With world-class teams, intense rivalries, and a country brimming with cricket passion, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an event like no other. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets and get ready for an unforgettable cricketing spectacle!