Pakistan is hosting the International Cricket Council ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, with some matches scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The matches with India will take place in the UAE, as it refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.
Let’s dive into the history of the ICC Champions Trophy, from how this event evolved throughout the period to nations that won trophies till now.
Historical Background of ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy started in 1998, as the ‘Wills International Cup’ took place in Bangladesh, with the Cricket World Cup having existed for 23 years with six completed editions.
The next tournament with the name of ICC KnockOut was held in Kenya in the year 2000.
After the Wills International Cup and then the ICC KnockOut, the name of the tournament was changed to the ICC Champions Trophy in the year 2002.
The ICC conceived the idea to raise funds for the development of cricket in non-test playing countries, which resulted in the creation of ICC Champions Trophy, previously known as the Knock Out Trophy.
It remains one of those ICC events that had the same format as that of another big cricketing event, like the Cricket World Cup.
The first two Champions Trophies were held in ICC Associate member nations, Bangladesh and Kenya, to increase the popularity of the sport in those countries and then use the funds collected for the development of their cricket.
From the 2002 tournament onwards, hosting was shared between countries under an unofficial rotation system, with six ICC members having hosted at least one match in the tournament.
ICC Champions Trophy from 2002-2017
After 2002, the event was later dubbed the “Mini World Cup” because of the involvement of all the ICC member nations.
The trophy was held every two years, but in 2008 it was shifted to South Africa from Pakistan due to security reasons and was later held in 2009.
After the year 2009, ICC increased the gap between the tournaments from two to four years, with the seventh edition of the cup taking place in 2013.
In 2017, Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time with a 180-run victory over India in the final.
The tournament wasn’t held in 2021 as planned, with ICC stating the logistics reasons behind it.
Winners of the ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy till now had 8 editions, with Australia winning two of them. Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies won the cup once, while India and Sri Lanka shared the trophy in 2022.
Here’s the list of nations having the trophy
South Africa 1998
The first-ever ICC Knockout, held in Bangladesh, between South Africa and West Indies, was won by South Africa, the first-ever champions of the tournament.
New Zealand 2000
The second Trophy, held in Kenya was between New Zealand and India. New Zealand barely defeated India and won the second ICC Knockout event.
India and Sri Lanka (2002):
The 2002 event was held in Sri Lanka. A match between Sri Lanka and India was called off due to rain, and a trophy was shared between both teams.
West Indies 2004
The 2004 Champions Trophy was held in England. The final, held in London at the Oval Stadium between the West Indies and England, was thrilling and resulted in the West Indies winning.
Australia 2006 and 2009
Both tournaments were won by Australia by defeating the West Indies in a rain-affected match, and in 2009 Aussie won against New Zealand in Centurion Stadium, South Africa.
India 2013
The trophy, held in the United Kingdom (UK), was between England and India. India defeated England in Birmingham and won the trophy against England by five runs under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Pakistan 2017
ICC Champions Trophy 2017 matches were played in England and Wales in which Pakistani won against India by 180 runs; the most thrilling final between both teams that most of the Pakistanis can never forget.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Another Beginning
As Pakistan is hosting the upcoming champions trophy, the hosts and the familiarity with the home ground will give Pakistan an edge over other teams.
It is also a chance for Pakistan to show the world that we can host international events, and it will pave the way for future international sporting events in Pakistan. The tournament will feature the best eight ODI teams. The competition promises a high level of play and entertainment.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 physical tickets available nationwide
The Champions Trophy has particular importance for Pakistan, as their win in 2017 is still among the most iconic events in the cricketing history of the country, so team Pakistan will be anxious to repeat that success on their own shores.
Meanwhile, on the world stage, emerging countries will be seeking to make their mark while more established teams, such as India and Australia, will try to add another trophy to their collection.
More than simply a cricket tournament, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 salutes the history, present, and future of the sport.
As the world’s finest teams get ready to compete for supremacy. The tournament is set to write another glorious chapter in the history of cricket.
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