The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner and the anticipation for the one of the biggest ICC event is all time high.
While many players are expected to make their mark, there’s always the possibility that some might not live up to expectations.
Here’s a look at one player from each team who might face challenges in the tournament:
Australia: Jake Fraser-McGurk
Jake Fraser-McGurk, the young Australian batsman, has shown flashes of brilliance but recently struggled against Sri Lanka, with scores of 2 and 9.
Captain Steve Smith remains optimistic, suggesting that the batting-friendly pitches in Pakistan could favor Jake’s style. However, the pressure of a major ICC event might test his resilience.
India: Arshdeep Singh
With Jasprit Bumrah sidelined due to injury, Arshdeep Singh is set to lead India’s pace attack. While he has impressed in T20s, his limited ODI experience could be a hurdle.
The weight of filling Bumrah’s shoes in such a high-stakes tournament might impact his performance.
England: Ben Duckett
England’s batting lineup has faced scrutiny, and opener Ben Duckett’s recent form hasn’t helped.
Despite his aggressive approach, he’s struggled to convert starts into substantial scores. This inconsistency at the top order could pose challenges against formidable bowling attacks.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson
Captain Kane Williamson is making a comeback from injury, and while his experience is invaluable, a lack of match practice might affect his form.
New Zealand will be hoping he quickly finds his rhythm, but the tournament’s intensity could be a significant test.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman, known for his explosive batting, returns to the squad after a hiatus since the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Although he played a commendable 84-run innings against New Zealand recently, the pressure of performing consistently, especially on home soil, might be challenging.
South Africa: Corbin Bosch
Corbin Bosch has been brought in as a replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje. With limited international exposure, the young pacer might find the Champions Trophy’s high-pressure environment daunting, potentially affecting his performance.
Afghanistan: Nangyal Kharoti
Following Allah Ghazanfar’s injury, 20-year-old Nangyal Kharoti has been called up.
With minimal international experience, leading Afghanistan’s spin attack in such a prestigious tournament could be a steep learning curve for the young spinner.
Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s lineup, known for his all-round capabilities. However, his recent bowling form raises concerns.
In his last nine ODI matches since January 2024, Mehidy has managed to pick up only eight wickets at an average of 50.62, with an economy rate of 7.71.
This dip in his primary skill could pose challenges for Bangladesh in the tournament.
