In a surprising update from the International Cricket Council (ICC), defending champions England’s qualficiation for Champions Trophy 2025 may be in jeopardy. The top seven teams after the completion of league stage will qualify for the eight-team event alongside hosts Pakistan.
According to ESPNCricinfo, an ICC spokesperson confirmed the development. Also, the qualification system is not new as it was approved by the apex cricket board in 2021 when the tournament was revived for the 2024-31 cycle.
It is learned that few boards were unaware of the qualification rules. It comes as a big blow to teams like West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland. They don't have an opportunity to qualify for the Champions Trophy as they could enter the quadrennial event.
Before the match against India, World Cup 2019 winners England were at the bottom of the table with just one win from five games. Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh are placed ninth after their defeat to the Netherlands.
With Bangladesh already knocked out of semi-final contention, Shakib stressed on the importance of playing for a spot in Champions Trophy as he said, "I mean, not the semi-final hope. It is not a semi-final possibility. At least, do a little better. Suppose, you have to be in the [top] ranking 8 if you want to play in the Champions Trophy. So, there are still three matches left considering that in mind."
As Babar Azam-led Pakistan is likely to finish in top seven, it means that the Dutch side may feature in Champions Trophy after a big game of 23 years. The Netherlands are placed eighth on the table after beating South Africa and Bangladesh in the tournament.
The Netherlands will face Afghanistan in their next match on November 3 followed by England and India on November 8 and 12 respectively.
Pakistan are the defending champions of Champions Trophy. In 2017, they beat Virat Kohli-led India by 180 runs on English soil under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed.
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