Champions Trophy 2025 Prediction: India, Pakistan And Who? Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza Picks Favourites For Semifinals

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Zimbabwe's T20I skipper and star all-rounder Sikandar Raza has made his prediction for the four semifinalists of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and UAE.

The ICC Champions Trophy returns after eight years, and will see eight teams including hosts Pakistan, their arch-rivals India, defending ODI world champions Australia among other compete for the trophy.

The thrilling 19-day competition, in which every match counts in the bid to claim the iconic Champions Trophy white jackets, will see Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan form Group A with Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa in Group B.

The top two teams from the two groups will then head to the knockouts, starting with the two semifinals and the all important title clash, which is scheduled to be held on March 9.

The usual suspects, India, Australia, South Africa and England could be the favourites coming into the tournament. But in a recent interview with Cricket Pakistan, Raza confidently named the strong contenders for the prestigious tournament.

Sikandar Raza's Champions Trophy Prediction

Raza believes the Asian giants India and Pakistan are the top contenders for the Champions Trophy. "I think Pakistan and India will do well in the Champions Trophy. Both teams have the quality and talent to dominate in this format," Raza said.

The Zimbabwe star all-rounder later picked Australia and New Zealand as the other two teams as the contenders for the semi-final spots. So, Raza predicted that India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand will be the four semifinalists at the Champions Trophy 2025.

India legend Sunil Gavaskar, on the other hand, has picked the hosts Pakistan as the favourites to go all the way and defend the title in front of their home crowd.

"The tag of favourites should be given to the home team Pakistan as it's not easy to beat any team in their home conditions. India lost in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 but before that they put up clinical performances and won ten matches on the trot. Hence, I feel Pakistan are the favourites for the upcoming tournament," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.