Tue Feb 04 09:12:29 UTC 2025: ## ICC Champions Trophy Returns After Eight-Year Hiatus

**LAHORE, PAKISTAN** – The International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy is set to make a triumphant return in Pakistan next year, after an eight-year absence. The tournament, once slated for cancellation, will be held in 2025, marking a significant comeback for a competition with a rich, albeit turbulent, history.

Initially known as the “mini World Cup” and later the “ICC Knockout,” the Champions Trophy debuted in 1998 in Bangladesh, with South Africa emerging victorious. Held biennially until 2009, the tournament’s name was changed to the Champions Trophy in 2002. Over the years, the trophy has seen wins by New Zealand (2000), a joint victory between India and Sri Lanka (2002), West Indies (2004), Australia (2006), and Australia again (2009). India secured the title in 2013, followed by Pakistan’s win in 2017.

The tournament’s journey has not been without its challenges. A terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Pakistan in 2008 forced postponement of the 2008 edition. The frequency was then changed to a quadrennial event. Further, the ICC initially planned to discontinue the Champions Trophy in favor of the World Test Championship (WTC) starting in 2017, to streamline the international cricket calendar. However, the WTC’s delayed launch and the postponement of the 2021 Champions Trophy due to the COVID-19 pandemic have paved the way for its revival.

Cricket fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the 2025 Champions Trophy, a testament to the tournament’s enduring appeal and its resilience in the face of adversity. The tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the best one-day international cricket teams in the world.

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