ICC CT 2025: Battle lines drawn for marquee India-Pakistan clash
With their fate hanging by a thread, Rizwan’s side faces a must-win situation.
With their fate hanging by a thread, Rizwan’s side faces a must-win situation.
The future of the Champions Trophy, which returned after an eight-year hiatus, was under a cloud after India’s refusal to send its team across the border citing security concerns, while Pakistan remained adamant about holding the entire tournament before the ICC intervention sorted the crisis by adopting a hybrid model.
Opener Ryan Rickelton scored his maiden ODI hundred (103) as half-centuries from skipper Temba Bavuma(58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markaram (52 not out) propelled South Africa to 315/6 in 50 overs against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy Group B clash at National Stadium.
India and Pakistan are set to clash in another mega battle when they meet in the ICC Champions Trophy encounter at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal and Aston Villa were handed favourable draws in the next round in PSV and Club Brugge respectively but the English sides will be facing a tough road to the final.
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 opening match at their home ground Eden Gardens on March 22.
Dominik Szoboszlai has praised the impact of head coach Arne Slot on his game following his arrival at Liverpool last summer.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed that the Rohit Sharma-led team's much-anticipated clash against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy is going to be a one-sided affair with Men in Blues having an edge over their arch-rivals.
Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand will eye to turn the fortunes when they start their Champions Trophy campaign against host Pakistan in Karachi in the tournament opener on February 19.
After a week of surprises at the Qatar Open, where just two Top-8 seeds progressed past the quarterfinals, the top players are looking to right the ship this week in the Dubai Tennis Championships, the draw for which was released here on Saturday.
