Champions Trophy 2025: A landmark event set to revive Pakistan’s cricketing glory

KARACHI: Landing in Karachi yesterday morning, the excitement was palpable. The city has been transformed into a carnival of cricket, with banners on buildings and faces beaming with anticipation.

There were concerns about the readiness of the venues, but the National Stadium has been renovated in a short space of time. It stands ready for its moment in the spotlight.

Today, when Pakistan faces New Zealand in the tournament opener, it will be more than just another cricket match. It will be the end of a 30-year wait to host a major tournament. A generation of cricket fans can finally get behind their stars on the big stage at home.

The lead up to the tournament has involved many challenges, not least India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan. Eventually, the parties compromised and settled on a hybrid option. But even this does not seem to have dampened the spirit in Pakistan.

Praise is due to Wasim Khan, a man who will be at the stadium for the opening match in his current role with the ICC. As CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board until September 2021, he laid the foundation for the country to host this trophy. His advocacy and relationships were vital in the convincing the world Pakistan could step up as host, and the next few weeks will be a statement that it is back and ready.

Turning to matters on the pitch, who are the favorites and which players will shine? In my opinion, this is one of the most open tournaments in recent memory. Over 19 action-packed days, eight of cricket's finest men’s teams will battle it out in what promises to be a fascinating sprint format which leaves little room for error.

The tournament’s compact nature is its secret weapon. Unlike the marathon of a World Cup, the 19day timeframe means teams need to hit the ground running. One bad day could spell a disastrous exit from the competition; a moment of brilliance could change fortunes. 

The eight teams are split into two groups. Group A features Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and New Zealand, whilst Group B throws together Australia, England, Afghanistan and South Africa. Each team faces their group opponents once, with the top two from each advancing to the semifinals.

What makes this edition particularly compelling is the level playing field. Australia, typically a powerhouse, enters the tournament without their first-choice pace attack — Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are managing injuries, while Mitchell Starc has withdrawn. Add to this the loss of Mitch Marsh with a back issue and, suddenly, the defending ODI world champions look vulnerable, although they should never be ruled out.

The tournament’s split hosting between Pakistan and Dubai adds another fascinating layer. India’s matches are all scheduled for Dubai, creating an interesting dynamic where they will enjoy significant support without the pressure of home conditions. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has become something of a second home for Indian cricket, potentially giving them a subtle edge. This, coupled with their depth and spinning options, makes them slight favorites.

England’s aggressive brand of cricket makes them dangerous but unpredictable in this format, while New Zealand can never be discounted. Pakistan, playing mostly at home, will be formidable, and South Africa’s bowling attack makes them serious contenders. Afghanistan, with their spin-heavy attack, feel ever closer to a big moment.

Only Bangladesh, struggling to find consistency at the top level, seem out of their depth. Nevertheless, in a 19-day tournament where momentum is everything, even they could string together three good days and find themselves in a semifinal.

In terms of players to look out for, I expect Jake Fraser-McGurk to announce himself as cricket’s next superstar. The tournament format suits his aggressive style perfectly. Noor Ahmed, well-travelled in the franchise leagues at 20 years of age, might finally make his mark in this format.

The injury-hit Australian pace attack opens the door for their next generation. I will be watching to see if Spencer Johnson becomes this tournament’s surprise package. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, especially in home conditions, could make the difference in tight matches.

This Champions Trophy feels different. The compressed schedule, the split venues and no standout team has created perfect conditions for drama. On March 9, we will have the answer. As of now, any of seven teams could realistically lift the trophy.

Holders Pakistan have a team with determination in their eyes and can feel the energy of a nation willing them on.

When the first ball is bowled at the National Stadium, it will not just be about cricket. It will be about redemption, coming home, a nation’s love affair with a sport that never wavered, even in the darkest times. As the sun set over Karachi last night, casting long shadows across the practice nets where a few children still played, it was difficult not to feel that something magical was about to unfold.

For now, though, the city holds its breath, waiting for the start. Cricket is coming home and Karachi is ready to welcome it with open arms.

WASHINGTON: LeBron James is energized to play alongside new Lakers teammate Luka Doncic while in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hopes a National Basketball Association title will secure his place among league legends as the regular-season homestretch begins.

The NBA returns from the All-Star break on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Lakers, led by James and Doncic, entertain Charlotte in a game postponed from January by wildfires.

The Lakers, fifth in the Western Conference at 32-20, made a deal with Dallas on Feb. 2, trading away forward Anthony Davis and others to obtain Slovenian guard Doncic, uniting the playmaker with 40-year-old legend James in hopes of making the Lakers a title contender.

“Just the excitement of being able to add a caliber player like that, a generational talent like that to our franchise, it’s something that has given me energy,” James said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do. We only had two games so far and I believe he has been on a minutes restriction since he came back from the calf (injury).

“As he continues to get in form, I think we could be really good going down the stretch. But we’ll see what happens.”

James missed the NBA All-Star Game while resting a foot and ankle injury ahead of facing Charlotte on Wednesday and visiting Portland on Thursday.

“With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild west, I feel like it’s important for me to take care of myself and understand what’s coming on,” James said. “I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury that I’ve been dealing with for years.

“Hopefully I can play against Charlotte on Wednesday and Portland on Thursday. It’s a big stretch for us.”

Oklahoma City Thunder lead the West and share the NBA’s best record with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 44-10.

In the East, the Cavs are 5.5 games ahead of reigning champion Boston while the Thunder lead Memphis by eight in the West.

Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA with 32.5 points a game.

The 26-year-old Canadian guard also averages 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocked shots a game for a team trying to defend its regular-season conference crown.

“We have an opportunity to, for sure, win an NBA championship,” he said. “Now we’re going to have to earn it.

“You go in the playoffs and you need to be the best team for a couple months and you’re not that unless you earn it throughout the season and playoffs.

“We’re more than halfway through the season, but it’s a long road and we’ve just got to keep getting better through the road and hopefully where we want to be at the end of it.”

Gilgeous-Alexander has accepted the growing attention brought by his exceptional play.

“I try to make sure I don’t let it affect the person I am, the player I am and the teammate I am,” he said.

“Doing so has helped me succeed on the court and us succeed as a team, as well. Yeah, I definitely notice it, embrace it, and try to make sure it doesn’t get in the way of things.”

Gilgeous-Alexander says he knows he will not be mentioned alongside such contemporary greats as James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry unless he leads an NBA championship team.

“You play the game to win and that’s, at the end of the day, all that really matters,” he said. “If I don’t succeed in that in my career, I will have never have accomplished what I wanted to.”

He accepts he might have a chance to become the face as the NBA like James and Michael Jordan.

“That’s literally for the world to decide and whoever the world gravitates to is going to become it naturally,” he said. “It’s not really like a title, it’s more of an opinion, but it is something that is for sure surreal.

“If you’re in that conversation... you will probably go down in history, and to be in that conversation is a blessing.”