Champions Trophy 2017 –All You Need To Know About the ‘Mini World Cup’

Cricket is back with a bang! This Ramadan, experience the most extravagant cricket event of the year, the Champions Trophy 2017. Starting from 1st June 2017 till 18th June 2017 this event will be hosted by England & Wales. This year will mark the 8th edition of the tournament where 8 teams will battle for the Champions title.

Eight top cricketing teams will be participating in the event. They are divided into two groups, Group A and Group B and each team plays at least 3 teams beside the warm-up round that usually consists of a total of 5-6 matches in total. A total of 8 teams including Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, and Pakistan will participate. Group A comprise of England, Australia, New Zealand and Bangladesh while India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka are placed in Group B.
 


Shoaib Malik Marks His Sixth Consecutive Attendance This Year

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik makes history as he has been selected for his sixth successive tournament. Previously, only eight other players have played in six Champions Trophy tournaments. Shoaib Malik has joined the league of Ricky Ponting (Australia), Rahul Dravid (India), Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis (both South Africa) and Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakara (all Sri Lanka). The 35-year-old Malik has scored 326 runs and taken 10 wickets in 15 Champions Trophy appearances and since he has played in 247 ODIs, will be aiming to become the 42nd player overall to play in 250 or more ODIs when he takes the field in the third match against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on 12 June 2017.

India –Pakistan Clash

Although Pakistan has never won a match against India in the World Cup tournaments, but they certainly have an edge over the arch rivals in the Champions Trophy with a 2-1 wins. This year we are expecting to see a similar nail biting encounter between the two rivals. The upcoming India versus Pakistan clash at Birmingham in the Champions Trophy on 4 June 2017 is most anticipated. The arch-rivals are set to renew the greatest sporting rivalry on the planet.

No Windies, No Champion Dance!

Unfortunately we will not be able to see DJ Bravo’s “Champions dance” in this year’s Champions Trophy 2017, as West Indies fails to make it to the top 8. The Windies fall at 9th spot in ODI ranking after losing against Pakistan recently. The doors of entry therefore have been closed for one of the most promising teams in the mega event.

Bangladesh's return to Champions Trophy

The Bangladeshi Tigers surprisingly qualified for the Champions Trophy this year. They remained absent since the 2006 edition. Much has changed for the team in the last two years. The team gained the momentum and went on a winning spree in the format defeating Pakistan, India and South Africa in successive ODI series at home. It is ranked No. 7 — one above Pakistan. Bangladesh is yet to prove its credentials overseas, and this mega event presents it with the ideal opportunity.
 

The Next Generation

This year, Champions Trophy is going to mark the 50- over tournament debut of several exciting young players. Among batsmen, Pakistan's Babar Azam, India's Kedar Jadhav, England's Sam Billings and Jason Roy, while Mitchell Santner from New Zealand and Marcus Stoinis from Australia are among the more promising all-rounders yet to feature in the upcoming 50-over tournament. In the bowling department, South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, India's Jasprit Bumrah, Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman, and Australia's Adam Zampa are some of the prominent names to keep an eye out for.

Open nature of tournament

This appears to be most competitive Champions Trophy of all times. Pakistan — ranked No. 8 can be highly unpredictable and has the tendency to create a stir. No game can be taken for granted. Across the board, all teams have adopted aggressive, fearless approach towards the 50-over game, which has helped bring down the gap between the teams. On account of the sharp and uncompromising format of the tournament, the Champions Trophy 2017 can be expected to deliver intense competition.

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