Why defending world champions England might not qualify for Champions Trophy 2025

The England Men's Cricket team's performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 so far has been awful, to say the least. The defending world ODI champions, in their last six matches in the tournament, have faced huge defeats in five of them, including the hundred-run loss against India on Sunday, October 29.

In the remaining three matches, England are to play Australia, Netherlands and Pakistan, who have been struggling to find a place in the top four. The recent English performance casts a shadow on its participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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England on edge

• England's coach, Matthew Mott, said that he learnt about the uncertainty surrounding his team's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy during the second innings of their match against India in Lucknow, only after the ICC had officially clarified the qualification process earlier on that same day.
• According to ESPNCricinfo, the qualification information was not "communicated" with the public or the media.
• After Sunday's match, England lies at the bottom of the points table with just two points, which they secured after their 137-run victory against Bangladesh.
• However, a few others knew about the criteria, as the Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan mentioned 'making it to the top-eight' after their match against the Netherlands.
•  On the other hand, Jos Buttler in the presentation ceremony said, "Yeah, I'm aware of that. Absolutely, it just proves we've got lots to play for," on being asked if he was aware of the criteria.

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England, however, has a mathematical chance of making an unlikely late push for the semi-finals, reported SkySports.

ICC Champions Trophy, 2025

• The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to take place in Pakistan in February-March 2025.
• Often dubbed as the 'Mini World Cup', the tournament has a lesser number of teams competing for the title.
• Speaking of the 2025 edition, a total of 8 teams will be competing in Pakistan, which is gearing up to host its first major ICC tournament in decades, precisely 19 years.
• The last time an ICC tournament went to Pakistan was in 1996 when it co-hosted the World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.

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Pakistan is through, anyway

• So the eight participating teams in the Champions Trophy 2025 would be 7 top teams in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, 2023 and Pakistan.
• Pakistan would automatically qualify, given its the host, even if it beats England or some other team to hit the table bottom, given their recent form.
• The qualification criteria decision was approved well in advance, in a 2021 ICC Board Meeting, ESPNCricinfo said.

England, which plays with next match against Australia on November 4, will face the Netherlands in its second last league game on November 7 at Pune.

The Netherlands, which has not qualified for a Champions Trophy since its appearance in 2002 could be a tough challenge for England which is yet to win a Champions Trophy title.

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