Key Names Ruled Out of Champions Trophy 2025
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, several key players have been ruled out due to injuries, impacting their respective teams’ preparations. Australia faces significant setbacks with captain Pat Cummins (ankle injury), Josh Hazlewood (hip problem), and Mitchell Marsh (back injury) all sidelined. India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out due to a lower back injury. Pakistan’s opener Saim Ayub will miss the tournament due to an ankle injury. New Zealand’s Ben Sears is also unavailable, with Jacob Duffy named as his replacement. These absences pose challenges for the affected teams as they adjust their strategies ahead of the competition.
Veterans Predict Champions Trophy Semi Finalists
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, various cricket experts have shared their predictions for the semi-finalists. Former Pakistan fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar anticipates that both India and Pakistan will reach the semi-finals. Similarly, ex-Pakistan pacer, Mohammad Asif envisions Australia, India, England, and Pakistan making it to the semi-finals. In contrast, former Indian bowler Zaheer Khan, predicts that Australia, England, India, and New Zealand will secure the semi-final spots, notably excluding Pakistan from his forecast. These varying predictions highlight the competitive nature of the upcoming tournament. As we approach the Champions Trophy, fans are buzzing with excitement to see their favourite players in action.
Australia Suffers From Worst ODI Defeat in Asia
Australia suffered from a comprehensive defeat in the second One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Colombo on February 14, 2025. With this defeat, Sri Lankan team clinched the series win by white washing the Aussie squad. The Sri Lankan skipper, Charith Asalanka was named as the player of the series for his admirable display of batting talents.
Sri Lanka set a formidable total of 281 for 4, highlighted by Kusal Mendis’s century. In response, Australia was bowled out for 107, marking their lowest ODI total in Asia and resulting in a 174-run loss. This defeat is Australia’s fifth-largest in ODI history and raises concerns ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.
3 Pakistani Players Fined By ICC
In the ODI match against South Africa on February 12, 2025, in Karachi, three Pakistani players were fined for misconduct. Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25% of his match fee for deliberately obstructing South African batter Matthew Breetzke during a single, leading to physical contact and a heated exchange. Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were each fined 10% of their match fees for celebrating too closely to batter Temba Bavuma after his run-out, an action deemed provocative. All three players accepted the sanctions and received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records.
