ICC Champions Trophy image. — X/@TheRealPCB/File
DUBAI: The Champions Trophy begins on Wednesday with the world’s high eight groups competing in Pakistan and Dubai for the celebrated title.
AFP Sport seems at three extremely anticipated matches within the group part of the 50-over event:
Australia v England
The Ashes rivals conflict in Lahore on Saturday.
World Cup holders Australia have had the higher hand in opposition to their previous foes in current 50-over matches and gained their earlier collection 3-2 final 12 months.
However each come into the Champions Trophy with query marks hanging over them.
Australia are with out their “Big Three” pacemen — Pat Cummins (ankle), Josh Hazlewood (hip) and Mitchell Starc, who has opted out for private causes.
Add within the absences of all-rounders Mitchell Marsh (again) and Marcus Stoinis (retired), and half of their common crew is lacking.
The depleted aspect suffered a heavy 2-0 collection defeat in Sri Lanka on the eve of the event.
England, with Check coach Brendon McCullum now in cost, did no higher and have been whitewashed 3-0 in India.
Since profitable the 2019 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup, England have struggled in white-ball cricket.
India v Pakistan
TV scores rocket with tens of millions tuning in to observe the arch-rivals any time they battle it out, owing to the deep rivalry between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
The 2 groups meet on Sunday in Dubai.
Tickets for the conflict have been offered out minutes after occurring sale as greater than 150,000 followers queued on-line to seize a seat within the 25,000-capacity stadium.
India refused to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, forcing the latter to comply with partially relinquish internet hosting rights to Dubai after an extended stand-off.
On the pitch, India are favourites to win the event for a 3rd time, in what is predicted to be the worldwide swansong for Rohit Sharma.
Pakistan are the holders and unpredictable.
Afghanistan v England
Greater than 160 British politicians referred to as for England to boycott the match in Lahore on February 26 over the erosion of ladies’s rights by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.
Skipper Jos Buttler rejected the concept, saying: “I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it.”
Barring a shock last-minute about-face, the sport will go forward.
After being effectively crushed in India final week, Buttler insisted that England might be “dangerous” on the Champions Trophy, even when current proof suggests in any other case.
Afghanistan have turn out to be a rising drive in white-ball cricket lately, rising to eighth within the ODI world rankings, one place beneath England.
The Afghans beat Australia on the way in which to a historic semi-final place eventually 12 months’s T20 World Cup, earlier than shedding to South Africa.
