Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, made an intriguing forecast regarding the teams likely to reach the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals, which will take place in Pakistan next year. This tournament will mark Pakistan’s first significant multi-nation event since the Asia Cup in 2008.

Context of Pakistan’s recent cricketing events

While Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup 2023, the matches involving India were shifted to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. As a result, only four matches of that tournament occurred in Pakistan, with the rest—nine games, including the final—held in Sri Lanka. India, fresh off their victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, has not played in Pakistan since 2008. Given the ongoing tensions, it seems unlikely that the Men in Blue will make the trip for the CT 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to suggest a hybrid model, allowing the Indian team to conduct their matches in Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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Hashmatullah Shahidi’s semi-finalist for the Champions Trophy 2025

During a podcast with an Indian journalist, Shahidi was asked to name the four teams he anticipates will reach the semi-finals of the CT 2025. Shahidi selected Afghanistan, India, England, and Australia, notably omitting Pakistan – the host nation for the eight-team tournament. This omission led the podcast host to reference Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series victory over Pakistan, to which Shahidi responded, “The formats are different; this one is ODI now, and it’s a different format,”

Tournament details and expectations

The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19 in Karachi, with the final taking place on March 9 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. India will compete in Group A, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash is set for March 1 at Gaddafi Stadium, where all of India’s matches will occur. Pakistan, entering the tournament as the defending champions, aim to replicate their success from 2017, when they triumphed over India by 180 runs. The Men in Green are eager to build on their legacy and add to the tournament’s historical significance.

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