ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 5 players to watch out for
What's the story
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an electrifying affair, co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament will be held from February 19 to March 9, bringing back one of cricket's most awaited global competitions.
Pakistan, the defending champions of 2017, will hope to retain their title in the face of fierce competition.
Here are five players who can dominate this edition.
#1
Shubman Gill - India
India's batting sensation Shubman Gill has been on a roll in ODIs.
Such has been his consistency that the youngster recently became fastest batter to accomplish 2,500 ODI runs.
Gill's current ODI average of 60-plus is the second-highest among batters with at least 1,000 runs.
Moreover, Gill breached the 50-run mark in each of his three ODI outings before the mega tournament.
#2
Travis Head - Australia
Arguably the best all-format batter going around, Travis Head is a must on this list.
The Australian opener has been on a run-scoring spree as his aggressive batting at the top has troubled the best of bowlers.
Moreover, he scored a hundred in the 2023 World Cup final against India, the preceding ICC event in the ODI format.
The southpaw averages 41-plus in ODIs in Asia.
#3
Rashid Khan - Afghanistan
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan is one of the best white-ball bowlers.
The champion T20 bowler is also a massive threat in ODIs. Rashid is closing in on 200 wickets in ODIs.
He has 198 scalps from 111 matches at a sensational 19.87. The right-arm wrist-spinner owns 124 scalps in Asia itself at 19.53 from 66 matches. His economy rate is 4.09.
Moreover, he can also contribute with the bat.
#4
Shaheen Afridi - Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi will be a threat for teams with his wicket-taking prowess.
The left-arm pacer picked 15 wickets from six matches in 2024 at 17.60.
Afridi further picked six wickets across three outings in the recent ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Overall, Afridi has collected 125 wickets in 62 ODIs at 23.62. 31 of his wickets have come on home soil at 24.70.
#5
Matt Henry - New Zealand
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry can be one of the contenders for the most wickets in the tourney.
He has seen a rapid progression in his career. Henry leads the Kiwi pacer attack and will be a threat.
He claimed five wickets across two outings in the aforementioned tri-series.
Overall, Henry has managed 155 wickets in 87 ODIs at 25.33.