What are the experts predicting for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel has named Afghanistan as the dark horse for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with the Asian side set to make their debut in the prestigious tournament. The event is scheduled to begin on February 19 in Karachi, and Afghanistan's inclusion in the competition has generated plenty of excitement. Despite being newcomers to the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan has been steadily improving over the years and is now considered a formidable force in international cricket. Placed in Group B alongside cricketing powerhouses Australia, South Africa, and England, Afghanistan faces a tough challenge in the group stage. However, their blend of talented spinners, explosive batters, and young talent could surprise many.

Afghanistan are the dark-horse for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

Afghanistan will begin their campaign on February 21, facing South Africa in a high-stakes match at the National Stadium in Karachi. The encounter promises to be an intriguing contest, with Afghanistan hoping to showcase their growing strength on the global stage. Patel's prediction about Afghanistan's potential underscores their rapid development in international cricket, particularly in limited-overs formats. If their players can rise to the occasion and execute their game plans effectively, Afghanistan could make a significant impact and prove to be one of the most unpredictable teams in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Afghanistan has been making a name for itself in recent international cricket events, showcasing their potential and rising as a competitive force. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, the team pulled off some impressive victories, including wins over defending champions England, as well as former champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka. These victories highlighted Afghanistan's growing strength and determination on the global stage. Following their World Cup success, the team continued to impress in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they displayed remarkable skill and resilience, further cementing their position as a rising cricketing nation.

Under the leadership of Rashid Khan, Afghanistan achieved a historic milestone by making it to the semifinals of a World Cup for the first time. This achievement has given them increased confidence, and they are now seen as a team that can surprise the more established sides in any major tournament. Considering their recent form, former cricketer Parthiv Patel has picked Afghanistan as a dark horse for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Patel has predicted that Afghanistan will be one of the semi-finalists, citing their ability to pull off unexpected victories against top teams. With a blend of experience and young talent, Afghanistan is poised to make a strong impact in the tournament and could well exceed expectations, making them a team to watch closely.

“There'll be India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia just given the record in the ICC trophies. But my dark horse is Afghanistan. They've got they've played really good cricket in 50-over format. It was just that Glenn Maxwell’s innings otherwise I think they were right there in the race to reach semifinals. So you know Afghanistan could come in and surprise all other teams,” stated former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel in a recent interview. 

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has shared his predictions for the semi-finalists of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. In a surprising twist, Pietersen left Australia out of his four picks for the final four. The exclusion of the Australians comes on the back of a few key factors, including the withdrawal of star pacer Mitchell Starc from the tournament due to injury, along with other prominent players missing from the Australian squad.

Pietersen's decision reflects the uncertainty surrounding Australia’s squad ahead of the tournament, with injuries potentially impacting their chances. Despite their pedigree and recent form, the absence of some key players may limit Australia's ability to progress as deep into the tournament as in previous editions. While Pietersen didn’t include Australia, his semi-finalist predictions have drawn attention as he eyes other teams that he believes will perform strongly in the tournament. The Champions Trophy, which is set to bring together some of the best cricketing nations, will undoubtedly be filled with surprises, and the absence of some of the biggest names in Australian cricket could open the door for other teams to make their mark on the global stage.

“I mean, this is so hard. It really is. But with Mitchell Starc pulling out today, I'm gonna say India, Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand,” said former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.