The ICC Champions Trophy, inaugurated in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut Tournament, has undergone significant evolution, not only in terms of its branding name, but also in terms of format, participating teams, and its role in international cricket.
Previously employing a 12-team format, the ICC Trophy now only includes 8 teams competing amongst each other for the title.
Quick Overview of the Historical Milestones of the ICC Trophy:
The very first ICC Trophy was Initially organized to raise funds for developing cricket in non-Test-playing nations, as the tournament featured a straightforward knockout format, with all matches played in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
And over time, subsequent editions came to life, and the tournament continued to evolve. Throughout its rich history, the ICC Champions Trophy has adapted to the changing landscape of international cricket, balancing the need for competitive integrity with efforts to globalize the sport.
| Year | Host Country(ies) | Winner | Finalist |
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa | West Indies |
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | India & Sri Lanka (shared) | N/A |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England |
| 2006 | India | Australia | West Indies |
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2013 | England & Wales | India | England |
| 2017 | England & Wales | Pakistan | India |
Note: The 2002 tournament concluded with India and Sri Lanka sharing the trophy after the final was interrupted twice due to rain.
Key ICC Trophies Events:
- The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy edition: The tournament is hosted by England and Wales conjointly, where Pakistan secured their maiden Champions Trophy title with a convincing victory over India in the final.
- The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy edition: Also hosted in England and Wales. In this tournament, India emerged as champions, defeating England in a rain-affected final.
- In 2009 ICC Champions Trophy edition: The tournament was held in South Africa after being relocated from Pakistan due to security concerns. Australia successfully defended their title, defeating New Zealand in the final.
- The 2006 ICC Champions Trophy edition: Hosted in India, and saw the first reduction in participating teams to eight, with a qualifying round introduced to determine the final lineup. Australia secured their first Champions Trophy by defeating the West Indies in the final.
- The 2004 ICC Champions Trophy edition: This one is hosted by England, as the Champions Trophy featured 12 teams divided into four pools. The West Indies claimed their first Champions Trophy title by defeating England in the final.
- The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy edition: Co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, this tournament marked a significant shift as it was rebranded as the ICC Champions Trophy. The final between India and Sri Lanka was washed out twice due to rain, resulting in the trophy being shared.
- The 2000 ICC Champions Trophy edition: This tournament is hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, as the championship had a knockout structure, with 11 teams participating. New Zealand emerged victorious, securing their first major ICC trophy by overcoming India in the final.
Significant Matchups and Performances in Previous ICC Trophies
2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, held in England and Wales, was marked by intense competition, standout performances, and unexpected outcomes, culminating in Pakistan’s maiden title victory.
Group Stage Standings:
| Group A Teams | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.045 |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -0.799 |
| Australia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.992 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -1.058 |
| Group B Teams | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| India | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +1.370 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -0.680 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +0.167 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.798 |
Knockout Stage and Notable Performances:
- Semi-Final 1 (June 14, Cardiff): Pakistan faced tournament favorites England and delivered a commanding performance. Restricting England to 211, Pakistan chased down the target with ease, winning by 8 wickets and securing their first Champions Trophy final appearance.
- Semi-Final 2 (June 15, Birmingham): India comfortably defeated Bangladesh by 9 wickets, qualifying for a much-anticipated final against Pakistan.
- Final (June 18, The Oval): In an unexpected turn of events and reversal of their group stage encounter, Pakistan secured a formidable 338/4 score. Their bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir’s early breakthroughs, dismissed India for 158, securing a comprehensive 180-run victory.
2013 ICC Champions Trophy – India’s Triumphant Campaign
The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy took place in England and Wales from June 6 to June 23, and it witnessed India’s dominant performance as they clinched the title for the second time.
Group Stage Performance:
Group A featured 4 teams, among which England and Sri Lanka managed to advance to the knockout stage.
| Group A Standings | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +0.308 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -0.197 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | +0.777 |
| Australia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -0.680 |
India was placed in Group B alongside South Africa, West Indies, and Pakistan. They emerged as group leaders, winning all their matches in a convincing manner.
| Group B Standings | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.938 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | +0.325 |
| West Indies | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -0.075 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -1.035 |
Significant Matchups and Highlights:
- India vs. South Africa (June 6, Cardiff): In the tournament opener, India dominated the opponent with a 331/7. South Africa’s chase ended at 305, giving India a 26-run victory.
- India vs. West Indies (June 11, London): India managed to achieve a target of 234 with ease, thanks to Dhawan’s unbeaten 102 and a solid 101-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma. They secured an 8-wicket win with 65 balls to spare.
- India vs. Pakistan (June 15, Birmingham): In bad weather conditions, India restricted Pakistan to 165 runs, and it managed to achieve victory by 8 wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
2009 ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa
The 2009 edition of the ICC Champions took place in South Africa from September 22 to October 5. It featured the top eight teams divided into two groups:
- Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, West Indies
- Group B: South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England
Group Stage Standings:
| Group A Teams | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +0.510 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +0.999 |
| India | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | +0.290 |
| West Indies | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -1.537 |
| Group B Teams | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
| New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +0.782 |
| England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -0.487 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.085 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.177 |
Significant Matchups and Highlights:
- Australia vs. Pakistan (September 30, Centurion): Australia managed to secure a narrow 2-wicket victory.
- Semi-Final 1 (October 2, Centurion): Australia faced England and won by achieving a dominant 9-wicket win.
- Semi-Final 2 (October 3, Johannesburg): New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets, advancing to the final against Australia.
- Final (October 5, Centurion): Australia restricted New Zealand to 200/9 and clinched the title.
Conclusion
The upcoming cricket tournament is expected to entertain fans with top-tier matchups between 8 of the strongest cricketing teams in the world. Make sure not to miss it! You can find all the fixtures available for streaming on Starzplay.
FAQS
Where can I watch the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
You can watch the best cricket matches for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on Starzplay
What are the most consistently performing teams in the ICC Trophy?
India and England are considered the best performing teams in the tournament.
What is the team that won the very first ICC Trophy ?
The inaugural championship was won by South Africa.
