The battle for qualification to the Champions Trophy 2025 is intensifying as the group stage of the ongoing World Cup 2023 progresses. Four teams England, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands are vying for the two remaining slots in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Defending champions England made significant progress towards securing their spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 qualification with a resounding 160-run victory over the Netherlands at the MCA Stadium in Pune on November 8. This marked England's second win in the ongoing tournament.
While India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have already secured their places in the 2025 Champions Trophy, four teams remain in contention for the remaining two spots. As per the qualification criteria, the top-seven teams from the World Cup 2023, along with hosts Pakistan, will qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025.
At present, all four teams vying for the remaining two Champions Trophy 2025 spots – England, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands have accumulated four points each from their eight matches in the group stage. England hold the best net run rate among these teams, while the Netherlands have the lowest.
With one match remaining in the 2023 World Cup for each team, the maximum number of points they can achieve is six. The teams with the best net run rate will be most likely to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025.
QUALIFICATION SCENARIOS
England
The 2013 Champions Trophy runners-up England need to defeat Pakistan in their final group-stage match to secure their qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy. If two of the three remaining teams Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, or the Netherlands lose their respective matches, England's qualification will be secure. However, if all four teams or even three teams win their remaining matches, the qualification scenario will depend on net run rate (NRR).
England's remaining match is against Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 11. Their current NRR is -0.885.
Bangladesh
The Bangla Tigers' qualification scenario depends on the outcome of their final group-stage match against five-time world champions Australia. To secure their spot in the Champions Trophy 2025, Bangladesh must defeat Australia and hope that at least one of England, Sri Lanka, or the Netherlands either loses their final match or fails to achieve a better net run rate (NRR) than Bangladesh. Bangladesh's remaining match is scheduled against Australia at the MCA Stadium in Pune on November 11. Their current NRR is -1.142.
Sri Lanka
The 2002 joint-winners of the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka, must secure a victory against New Zealand in their final match to have a chance at qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Additionally, they will need to hope that either England and Bangladesh lose their respective matches or end up with a lower net run rate (NRR) than them. Sri Lanka's remaining match is against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on November 9. Their current NRR stands at -1.160.
Netherlands
The Netherlands face a monumental challenge in their final group-stage match against tournament hosts India, as victory by a substantial margin is their only hope for qualification to the 2025 Champions Trophy. Even if they manage to defeat India, their qualification hinges on favourable outcomes in the remaining matches involving England, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Securing a convincing win over India is crucial for the Dutch to improve their current NRR of -1.635. Their fate will be determined in their final match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on November 12.
The intense competition for the 2025 Champions Trophy spots has injected immense importance into the final set of World Cup 2023 matches, promising a thrilling conclusion to the already-fierce group stage.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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