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.
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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.
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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. |