With the 2025 Champions Trophy on the horizon, excitement is building as cricket’s elite prepare for a tournament hosted by Pakistan. However, the qualification process, which is based on performances in the 2023 World Cup, has left several prominent teams out of the race. Only the top seven finishers from the World Cup, plus the host nation Pakistan, have secured their places. As a result, some traditionally strong teams are absent from this prestigious event, sparking significant discussion in the cricketing world.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy is particularly surprising. Historically, Sri Lanka has been a strong contender in ICC events, even sharing the Champions Trophy title with India once. However, their lackluster performance at the 2023 World Cup, marked by inconsistent form and disappointing results, meant they fell short of a top-seven finish. This will be the first ICC event the team has missed in years, reflecting a notable downturn in their cricketing fortunes.
West Indies
The absence of West Indies is another major storyline. Known for their past dominance in international cricket, the West Indies have struggled to maintain their status as a leading team. Their failure to qualify for the 2023 World Cup dashed their hopes of participating in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The ongoing decline highlights the challenges facing West Indies cricket, which has seen a drop in both performance and popularity.
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Zimbabwe, Scotland, Netherlands, and Ireland
In addition to these major cricketing nations, several associate teams—Zimbabwe, Scotland, Netherlands, and Ireland—also missed out on the 2025 Champions Trophy. Despite their crucial role in broadening the sport’s global footprint, these teams couldn’t meet the stringent qualification requirements. Their absence could potentially hinder the development and expansion of cricket in emerging regions.
The stage is set for an exciting Champions Trophy, but the absence of these notable teams adds a layer of intrigue and underscores the shifting dynamics in international cricket.
