The ICC Champions Trophy is a big cricket tournament, also called the “Mini World Cup.” It was started by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998. In the beginning, it was known as the ICC Knockout Tournament, and its main aim was to help cricket grow in countries that did not play Test matches. The first two tournaments were held in Kenya and Bangladesh. Later, as the tournament became more popular, it was hosted in bigger cricketing nations like England and India.
Changes in the Tournament
From 2009, only the top 8 teams in the ICC ODI rankings could play in the tournament. The teams were decided six months before the event. However, after 2017, the tournament was stopped so that ICC could focus on one big tournament for each cricket format.
In 2021, ICC made a surprising announcement – the Champions Trophy is coming back! The next editions will be held in Pakistan (2025) and India (2029). If India decides not to play in Pakistan, they might also skip other ICC tournaments held there.
Champions Trophy Winners List (1998-2025)
The ICC Champions Trophy is a famous cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It features the top cricket teams from around the world competing for the title. Below is the list of Champions Trophy winners from 1998 to 2025, showing which teams have ruled the tournament over the years.
| Year | Host Nation(S) | Winner | Runner-Up |
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa | West Indies |
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka and India | None |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England |
| 2006 | India | Australia | West Indies |
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2013 | England and Wales | India | England |
| 2017 | England and Wales | Pakistan | India |
| 2025 | Pakistan | Not Decided | Not Decided |
Teams Qualified for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
After the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the following teams have qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
- India
- South Africa
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Pakistan (Host Nation)
- Afghanistan
These teams secured their spots based on their performance in the World Cup league stage. India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand qualified by reaching the semifinals. Pakistan got an automatic entry as the host nation, and Afghanistan made it by finishing sixth in the points table.
The Champions Trophy is returning after 7 years, and top cricketing nations will battle for the title in Pakistan 2025.
