Dubai: The Champions Trophy 2025 is now up and running with the tournament reaching its end. The first two semi-finalists have already been confirmed, with India and New Zealand reaching the final four of the competition after the Kiwis comprehensively defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets.
India have had a great start to their campaign as they have defeated Bangladesh and Pakistan in their first two games of the tournament. Now, fans would be wondering who the Men in Blue face in the final four of the competition.
India are currently on 4 points from 2 games. They next face New Zealand in their final group game of the Champions Trophy on March 2 (Sunday) in Dubai. If India win that game then they would finish top of the group. If this happens then they would play the runner-up of Group B, which features Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan.
If India lose their final game against the Kiwis then they would finish second in group A. In that case, the Men in Blue will take on whoever finishes on top of Group B.
South Africa and Australia are the leaders of the group with 2 points each. Hence, they are the most likely to qualify from this group B, if they win one or both of their final two matches each. Irrespective of which position India finish in, they will play their semi-final match on Tuesday, March 4 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan pulled off a historic victory, defeating England by eight runs in a thrilling Group B encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan, knocking the former World Champions out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. England’s struggles in ODI cricket continued as they slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat, their worst losing streak since September 2009.
