Left Arm Around

As Pakistan seek to defend the title they won against India back in 2017, this time on home turf, here is my preview of all eight teams involved ahead of the tournament’s much anticipated return.

Afghanistan

Featuring for the first time in the Champions Trophy’s history, Afghanistan have continued their impressive rise in the international game. After defeating England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and narrowly missing out on the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Jonathan Trott’s side reached the semi-finals at the subsequent T20 World Cup last year- finally crashing out to South Africa.

Despite the disappointment of that humbling defeat, they have since won their last three ODI series- including brilliant 2-1 victories over Bangladesh and South Africa. With a battery of spinners such as the imperious Rashid Khan, the experienced Mohammad Nabi and an ever-improving Noor Ahmad, do not count them out on the potentially spin friendly surfaces available in Pakistan. Wicket-keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz gives them explosiveness at the top of the order too.

18-year-old off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar unfortunately misses out on the tournament through injury, a huge blow to the Afghans following his fantastic introduction to international cricket.

Australia

Although the Aussies come out into the tournament as the defending ODI World Cup champions and a team with plenty of matchwinners, injury problems and selection changes have thrown their camp into disarray. With all-rounder Marcus Stoinis retiring, captain Pat Cummins and fellow quick bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out through injury and spearhead Mitchell Starc opting out for personal reasons, Andrew McDonald’s side have no first-choice seamers available. A huge blow to their chances.

The likes of Spencer Johnson, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott are decent replacements, but it’s certainly unfair to expect them to reach the heights of Australia’s premier pace trio given their huge inexperience in the format. One feels much of their bowling strength hinges of the performances of leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

Returning captain Steve Smith has a huge job to revitalise the confidence of his side after their recent 2-0 series whitewash in Sri Lanka. After failing to chase 215 in the first ODI, they lost the second by a devastating 174-run margin- highlight a vulnerability against the turning ball.

Bangladesh

Arguably the biggest outsiders across the eight teams, Bangladesh have an awful lot to prove after after a shocking T20 World Cup campaign, an ODI series whitewash loss in the West Indies and a narrow defeat to Asian rivals Afghanistan. Despite showing glimpses of good form in the Caribbean, the Tigers worryingly failed to defend scores of 294 and 321 in both the first and third ODI’s.

Now without long-term stalwarts Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, they will be relying on the experience of Mahmudullah and Mushifqur Rahim to combine with the youth of players like Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan and Rishad Hossain. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, however, is woefully out of form with only fifty in his previous ten innings across formats.

The Tigers can be encouraged by a pace attack that includes Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed.

Taskin, 29, has taken 40 wickets in his last 25 ODI’s at an average of just 24.85.

England

When Brendon McCullum was confirmed as white-ball coach to add to his Test duties, there seemed to be renewed vigour and hope in the Three Lions camp despite an awful run of form in the format.

But after Jos Buttler’s side were beaten 4-1 in the T20I’s and whitewashed in the ODI’s that followed, they have now lost series on the spin and face a plethora of unanswered questions.

Jacob Bethell’s withdrawal from injury gives England a difficult dilemma in the middle order, particularly with Jamie Overton’s poor form at number seven, meanwhile the spin department rests solely in the hands of Adil Rashid and the part-time offerings of Liam Livingstone and Joe Root. England will NEED Rashid to have a wonderful tournament if they are to claim the Champions Trophy for the first time.

More encouragingly, England are boosted by a pace attack that includes Jofra Archer and Mark Wood- bowlers who have been hampered by injuries in recent years. Both men are genuine wicket-takers capable of bowling 90 MPH+ throughout an innings.

Joe Root’s return to the ODI setup after a long break is also a huge positive. His ability to anchor an innings and hit the gaps is an incredibly useful asset alongside the six-hitting ability of players like Buttler, Harry Brook and Phil Salt.

India

Definitely the favourites to lift the trophy given the form they displayed in the past year- particularly against England

With veteran Rohit Sharma returning to his best and a whole host of match-winners in the middle order, opposition attacks will be fearful of their power and explosiveness.

Much controversy was generated when India opted out of travelling to Pakistan and have been allowed to play their matches in Dubai, however this change could be preferential to a spin-heavy squad comprised of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakravarthy.

Their main challenge will be coping with the absence of spearhead paceman Jasprit Bumrah- who was ruled out through injury. Mohammad Shami will need to lead the attack in his pace, while the likes of Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh are still very inexperienced in the 50-over format.

New Zealand

Ever the underdogs in global tournaments, the Black Caps enter the Champions Trophy high on confidence having won a tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa without tasting defeat. First beating hosts Pakistan following a rapid Glenn Philipps ton, they followed that up with a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Proteas.

In the final, they again conquered Pakistan after chasing 243 with 28 balls to spare.

While the recent signs appear good, last-minute injuries to Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson may have left the fast bowling stocks rather bare. Kyle Jamieson is contention for his first ODI since 2023 having been called up as a late replacement.

Do not be surprised if the Kiwis lift the trophy on March 9…

Pakistan

Defending the title they won at the Oval in 2017, hosts Pakistan appear unsure of their best XI given some peculiar squad selections.

Fakhar Zaman has returned to the fold as an opener following an injury to Saim Ayub, meanwhile the selectors opted to select only one frontline spinner in Abrar Ahmed.

All-rounder Shadab Khan was shockingly left out of the squad, however Pakistan’s main strength remains their quick bowling.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf make up a strong pace trio capable of taking down any batting lineup on their best day.

As the old saying goes, you never know which version of Pakistan will turn up…

South Africa

Although an incredibly dangerous outfit with the likes of David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Kagiso Rabada in their armoury, the Proteas are short on confidence following six ODI losses in a row.

Since winning the inaugural Champions Trophy under Hanse Cronje in 1998, South Africa have developed something of a ‘chokers’ tag having repeatedly come close to trophies but failing to get over the line.

The recent T20 World Cup was a sobering moment for South African cricket when they narrowly lost to India in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Despite needing just 30 from 30 deliveries, South Africa could not claw themselves over the line as India snatched victory by seven runs.

Temba Bavuma’s side have every chance of righting the wrongs, but they’ll have overcome over any mental scarring of the past. No easy feat at all…

Schedule

The tournament begins tomorrow with a clash between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi (09:00 GMT).

Image credit: (Yogendra Singh/Unsplash)