India have qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh. Meanwhile, hosts Pakistan have been knocked out following back-to-back defeats.
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India have secured their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after
New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in their Group A clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday. This marks India’s third consecutive final-four appearance in the prestigious tournament.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) took to social media to confirm India’s qualification following the New Zealand vs Bangladesh result. With this, India continue their consistent run in the Champions Trophy, having previously reached the semi-finals in the 2013 and 2017 editions, winning the title in 2013 and finishing as runners-up in 2017.
INTO THE SEMIS 🤩
A third-successive final-four appearance for India at the #ChampionsTrophy 👏 pic.twitter.com/N8kR0rhRMy
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2025
Pakistan knocked out
While India’s campaign remains on track, the result proved disastrous for hosts Pakistan, who have now been eliminated from the tournament. Mohammad Rizwan’s side suffered a major blow as New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh officially ended their hopes of progressing to the next stage.
Pakistan’s early exit will be a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the high expectations of performing well in home conditions. The team struggled in the group stage, losing to New Zealand and India in consecutive games.
On Sunday, India rode on a clinical performance to outclass traditional rivals Pakistan with plenty to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Batting first, Pakistan were bowled out for 241. Virat Kohli then regained his glorious touch with his 51st ODI hundred, and was ably supported by Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, as India completed the chase with 45 balls to spare to inch closer to the semifinals.
This is the first time Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament since the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Pakistan. International cricket from Pakistan disappeared after the infamous terror attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009. However, the PCB made efforts to bring the game back to the country and it succeeded when the ICC awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for 2025 Champions Trophy.
(With agency inputs)