ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India-Pakistan and two other matches to watch

In addition to the epic India-Pakistan clash on February 23, Australia meet England, and Afghanistan to play their debut match at the tournament.

The ICC Champions Trophy begins on Wednesday with the world’s top eight teams competing in Pakistan and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for the prestigious title.

Here are three highly anticipated matches in the group phase of the 50-over-a-side tournament:

Australia vs England (February 22):

The great Ashes rivals clash in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

The one-day international (ODI) World Cup holders Australia have had the upper hand against their old foes in recent 50-over matches and won their previous series 3-2 last year.

But both come into the Champions Trophy with question marks hanging over them.

Australia are without their “big three” pacemen: Pat Cummins (ankle injury), Josh Hazlewood (hip injury), and Mitchell Starc, who opted out for personal reasons.

Add in the absences of all-rounders Mitchell Marsh (back injury) and Marcus Stoinis (retired), and half of their regular team is missing.

The depleted side suffered a heavy 2-0 ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka just before the tournament.

England, with Test coach Brendon McCullum now in charge, did no better and were whitewashed 3-0 in an ODI series in India.

Since winning the 2019 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup, England has struggled in white-ball cricket.

Steve Smith of Australia heads back to the pavilion.
In the absence of injured Pat Cummins, Steve Smith will lead Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 [File: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images]

Pakistan vs. India (February 23):

TV ratings rocket, with millions tuning in to watch Pakistan and India any time they battle it out, owing to the deep political rivalry between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

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