ICC Champions Trophy is set to return as the defending champions Pakistan will host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly revealed the qualification path for the next ICC Champions Trophy.
During the middle stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, the ICC stunned the cricket world by reportedly announcing the eight-team qualification path for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, which is directly related to the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
Details of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Qualification path
Just like the last three ICC Champions Trophy editions (2009, 2013, and 2017), only eight teams, including the hosts Pakistan, will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
On October 29, 2023, ESPNcricinfo revealed the qualification system for the upcoming ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy as an ICC spokesperson confirmed it to them.
As the hosts, Pakistan have already qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they will also defend the title.
At the end of the league stage at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the top seven teams, excluding Pakistan, will book the tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
It was shocking news for some cricket boards, including the teams who aren’t participating in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. However, the ICC spokesperson clarified to ESPNcricinfo that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 qualification system was already approved by the ICC Board in 2021.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Who are in the contentions for the qualification?
At the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, India is organising the tournament, while the other participants are Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Netherlands. So, out of these 10 teams, eight teams, including the hosts Pakistan, will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Who has no chance to qualify?
It also means that West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Ireland, these three ICC Full Members have no chance to battle for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 qualification.
However, the ICC still hasn’t officially reacted or confirmed on the latest ESPNcricinfo news yet.