 "Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam during the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Image: PTI")
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to deliver high-intensity cricket action, and among the many exciting encounters, three matches stand out as absolute must-watch fixtures. These clashes feature historic rivalries, political tensions, and the biggest spectacle in world cricket - India vs Pakistan.
1. Australia vs England – The oldest rivalry
Date: Saturday, 22 February
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The Ashes rivalry takes center stage in Pakistan as Australia and England go head-to-head in what promises to be a thrilling group-stage encounter. These two cricketing powerhouses have a long history of fierce battles, and this clash in Lahore will add another chapter to their legendary rivalry.
Australia will go into the match with a depleted side as their main fast bowlers, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, have opted out due to various reasons. Australian batter Mitchell Marsh will also miss out due to injury concerns.
England, on the other hand, have looked in poor form in ODI cricket. Their last series against India ended in a 3-0 clean sweep for the Jos Buttler-led side.
2. India vs Pakistan – The biggest rivalry
Date: Sunday, 23 February
Venue: Dubai International Stadium
No cricketing rivalry compares to the intensity of an India-Pakistan encounter. This highly anticipated match will be played in Dubai after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team to Pakistan, forcing the ICC to relocate India’s matches to a neutral venue.
With millions of fans worldwide tuning in, the atmosphere will be electric as the two teams battle for supremacy. The last time the two sides met was during the T20 World Cup 2024. India emerged victorious in that game. The last ODI game that India and Pakistan played was at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, where the Men in Blue registered a comprehensive win.
3. Afghanistan vs England – A politically charged contest
Date: Wednesday, 26 February
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
England’s group-stage fixture against Afghanistan has made headlines for political reasons. More than 160 British politicians called on England to boycott this match in protest against the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights in Afghanistan. However, the ECB has decided to play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.
While political tensions loom over the game, Afghanistan’s cricket team will be eager to prove themselves on the big stage. The Australian cricket team had cancelled their bilateral series against Afghanistan citing similar reasons last year. Afghanistan took revenge by beating them in their T20 World Cup encounter.