The Champions Trophy, one of the most prestigious cricket tournaments in the world, is all set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. This highly anticipated event has been the talk of the town among cricket enthusiasts and fans alike. With the excitement building up, let us take a look at the post ICC Champions Trophy winners list and what we can expect from this year’s tournament.
The ICC Champions Trophy, formerly known as the ICC Knockout Trophy, was first introduced in 1998 and has been held every two years since then. It is a One Day International (ODI) tournament that features the top eight teams in the world according to the ICC rankings. The first edition of the tournament was won by South Africa, and since then, it has seen some thrilling matches and nail-biting finishes.
The last edition of the ICC Champions Trophy was held in 2017 in England and was won by Pakistan. The team, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, stunned the world by defeating arch-rivals India in the final. It was a historic moment for Pakistan as they lifted the trophy for the first time, and it was also their first major ICC tournament win since the 1992 World Cup.
The post ICC Champions Trophy winners list is a testament to the fact that this tournament has seen some of the best teams in the world battle it out for the coveted trophy. Apart from Pakistan, the other teams that have won the tournament are South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Australia, and India. This year, all eyes will be on these teams as they look to add another trophy to their cabinet.
Pakistan, being the defending champions, will have a lot of pressure on them to perform well in front of their home crowd. The team has been going through a rough patch in recent times, but they have a talented squad that can turn things around. With the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Amir in their ranks, Pakistan has the potential to repeat their 2017 heroics and lift the trophy once again.
India, on the other hand, will be looking to avenge their loss in the 2017 final and add another ICC trophy to their collection. The team is currently ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings and has a strong batting line-up with the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan. They also have a formidable bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in excellent form in recent times.
Australia, who are the most successful team in the tournament’s history with two wins, will also be a team to watch out for. They have a young and talented squad, and with the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, they will be a force to be reckoned with. The team has been performing well in the ODI format, and they will be eager to add another trophy to their already impressive record.
New Zealand, who have been the runners-up in the last two editions of the tournament, will also be a strong contender this year. The team has been consistently performing well in all formats of the game and has a well-balanced squad. Led by the experienced Kane Williamson, the Kiwis will be looking to go one step further and lift the trophy this time around.
Sri Lanka, who won the tournament in 2002, will also be looking to make a mark this year. The team has been going through a rough patch, but they have a talented squad that can cause upsets on their day. With the experienced Lasith Malinga leading the bowling attack, Sri Lanka will be a team to watch out for.
South Africa, who won the inaugural edition of the tournament, will also be eager to add another trophy to their name. The team has been performing well in the ODI format and has a strong batting line-up with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and AB de Villiers. They also have a formidable bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada, who is currently the number one ranked ODI bowler.
In conclusion, the Champions Trophy is a tournament that brings together the best teams in the world and provides some thrilling cricketing action. With the post ICC Champions Trophy winners list featuring some of the biggest names in cricket, this year’s tournament promises to be an exciting one. As we eagerly wait for the tournament to begin, let