Change in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Format from 50-overs to T20Is: In a major development, the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy might see a change in the format after the broadcaster’s intervention. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be held in the 50-overs format may change to the shorter, 20-overs format.
As per the report published in the Guardian, Disney Star, the official broadcaster for the Champions Trophy 2025, is of the view to have a change in the format of the showpiece competition to be held in Pakistan. The official reasons for the same are yet to be revealed.
Notably, if the reports come true the 50-overs format may witness its end sooner than later. The next 50-over ICC event after the ongoing World Cup 2023 is scheduled for 2027 in South Africa if the Champions Trophy 2025 gets a makeover to the T20 format.
The only thing that has kept alive the sheen of ODI cricket is the glorious World Cup event which happens at intervals of four years. The fans have shifted their interests to the shorter formats, even the players have taken it on themselves to not take part in the 50-over matches.
It will be a big development if the reports of the Champions Trophy 2025 getting a change in the format come true as far as the survival of the 50-overs cricket is concerned.
Disney Star has bagged the broadcasting rights for all the major ICC events scheduled between 2023 and 2027. The five-year cycle cost Disney Star a whopping USD 3 Billion to retain the rights for the Indian markets.
During the same period, the ICC is set to stage seven world events including T20 World Cup 2024 & 2026, Champions Trophy 2025 and World Test Championship 2025 among others.
It is worth noting that the qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is linked to the team’s performance in the ongoing World Cup 2023 in India. The top seven teams in the World Cup points table plus Pakistan, as hosts, will qualify for the event.
Interestingly, England, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Sri Lanka are still in the race to qualify for the Champions Trophy. The bottom four teams in the World Cup 2023 Points Table are still fighting it out to get the ticket for the Champions Trophy. None of them have complete control over the qualification chances as they will have to do a bit of permutation and combination.
Team Qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan became the first team to get a ticket for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as the host of the tournament. Team India became the first team to seal the ticket after fighting it out in the World Cup 2023.
So far six teams have already booked their tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The likes of India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Afghanistan along with Pakistan have confirmed their seats.
While for the two remaining slots, four teams – England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Netherlands are fighting it out.
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