The world’s best eight teams will battle it out for Champions Trophy glory over the next three weeks.
Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the tournament in 2017 in what was expected to be the final edition, but it has returned and they are also hosts.
However, India announced they would not travel to Pakistan and so their games will be played in the UAE, including a much-anticipated group-stage match against their big rivals.
New Zealand and Bangladesh join them in Group A, with the top two going through to the semi-finals.
England are in Group B and in desperate need of a dramatic turnaround in form, after losing seven out of eight white-ball matches on a recent tour to India.
Jos Buttler’s side get up and running against Australia, who are among the favourites to lift the trophy having won the last ODI World Cup in 2023.
South Africa were beaten in the semi-finals by Australia at that particular tournament and will be eyeing revenge, while Afghanistan complete the group.
There had been calls for England to boycott their fixture against Afghanistan in response to the Taliban’s human rights record, but the ECB have confirmed that the match will be played on February 26 as scheduled.
How to watch Champions Trophy 2025
TV channel: The tournament will be broadcast in full on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch via the Sky Go website or app.
Content Source: www.standard.co.uk