The first match of the ICC Champions Trophy is just hours away, with Pakistan and New Zealand set to face off in the opening game. A total of 8 teams are participating in the Champions Trophy, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh, which have been placed in different groups. However, you might be wondering why Sri Lanka and West Indies are not part of the tournament. Let’s dive into the details and explore the real reason behind their absence from the Champions Trophy 2025.
Eight teams are taking part in the Champions Trophy
The Champions Trophy marks the return of a major ICC tournament to Pakistan after nearly 29 years. The last time Pakistan hosted an ICC event was the 1996 ODI World Cup. This time around, the excitement is palpable, with eight teams vying for the top spot. The participating teams include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. Notably, Sri Lanka and West Indies, two of the world’s best cricket teams, are not part of the tournament.
Teams are decided on the basis of ODI World Cup
The teams participating in the Champions Trophy are determined based on their performance in the previous ODI World Cup. The top four teams from the 2023 ODI World Cup, which included India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, automatically qualified for the Champions Trophy. As the host country, Pakistan’s spot was also secured. The remaining three teams were chosen based on their ranking in the world points table.
Sri Lanka and West Indies left out
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan ranked sixth, while England came in seventh, and Bangladesh secured the eighth spot. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, finished ninth and missed out on a spot in the top 8. The West Indies, unfortunately, failed to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup altogether. This is the reason why these two cricket powerhouses are not part of the Champions Trophy this time around.
