The ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence on Wednesday, featuring the world's top eight cricket teams vying for glory in Pakistan and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. England, the 2019 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup champions, have struggled in recent white-ball cricket matches. Meanwhile, Afghanistan emerges as a formidable force, climbing to eighth in the ODI world rankings, just below England.
Australia, the current one-day international (ODI) World Cup holders, have maintained dominance over England in recent encounters. Last year, Australia triumphed over England in a closely contested series, winning 3-2. However, Australia faces challenges with the absence of their "big three" pacemen: Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are sidelined due to injuries, and Mitchell Starc has opted out for personal reasons.
England's recent performances have been disappointing. Under the guidance of Test coach Brendon McCullum, they suffered a 3-0 whitewash in an ODI series against India. The team is hoping to redeem itself in the Champions Trophy.
The tournament will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Dubai after India refused to travel to Pakistan. This decision led to a partial shift of hosting rights to Dubai following a prolonged standoff. Despite the tensions, excitement for the tournament remains high. Tickets for the much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India sold out within minutes, with more than 150,000 fans vying for seats in the 25,000-capacity stadium.
Pakistan, the current Champions Trophy holders, are known for their talented yet unpredictable lineup. They aim to defend their title on home soil. The cricketing world eagerly anticipates the showdown between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, which promises to be a thrilling encounter.
This weekend promises more exciting fixtures. The historic Ashes rivals, Australia and England, are set to face off at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. The two teams will then meet again in Dubai on Sunday, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.
"I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it." – Jos Buttler
