When the Prime Minister of a nation makes a serious statement about sports, it is clear that the underlying causes go beyond the game itself -- that the tension arises from something much larger on a broader scale.

In what will be Pakistan’s first ICC tournament played on home soil since 1996, there is a lot on the line for this team.

Beyond the spectacle, a larger question looms: what does this tournament, returning after eight long years, mean for the future of ODI cricket?

Unlocking the puzzle of how the wicket at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will play and what would be the right team combination are two factors that could decide the fate of Bangladesh’s ICC Champions Trophy opener against India on Thursday before it even begins.

As the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy begins today with the game between hosts and defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi today, here we look at some of the interesting facts regarding the competition in which the eight top-ranked ICC teams battle for glory.

Despite a late injury setback with Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out owing to a back issue, India arrive at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a star-studded line-up.

Can captain Mohammad Rizwan and his side overcome the intense scrutiny that will follow their campaign?

The 37-year-old Rohit and Kohli, 36, got back among the runs to some degree in India's 3-0 ODI home sweep of England last week.

It will be the first major global tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly 30 years and former batting great Inzamam Ul Haq told Reuters there was no escaping the excitement in the lead-up to the event.

Banking on big wins against England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan ensured their first-ever qualification for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

1998 was the year of the inaugural ICC Men's Champions Trophy, and it was also the only time that South Africa claimed a senior ICC Men's silverware.

Two-time winners of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy, Australia will look to add another title to their trophy cabinet.

After an uninspiring run in their 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign, where they finished seventh, England haven’t had the best of times in ODI cricket, having lost all of their four series in the format since.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said, “I honestly don't think Bangladesh (are) going to make the knockouts. Bangladeshi fans might not like me saying this, but I have to be honest."

Star batter Virender Sehwag turned the game with his off-spin as India qualified for the final of the 2002 edition with an exciting triumph over South Africa in Colombo.

“Whenever we play against India, we have big expectations. Having come close on many occasions, we couldn’t finish the job. I hope that we’ll be able to finish this time. And it’s possible to beat Pakistan,” Talha told reporters in Mirpur on Saturday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the details of its broadcast arrangements for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which runs from February 19 to March 9.

The team suffered consecutive losses in the two-match series. In the first ODI, Australia were bowled out for 165 in a chase of 215, while in the second clash, Australia once again struggled, being snuffed out for 107 chasing a target of 282.

The Champions Trophy, which kicks off next week, comes to Pakistan as the country battles two insurgencies and a political crisis that has sent its former prime minister and greatest cricket hero, Imran Khan, to jail.

Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh team will play a warm-up match against the Mohammad Haris-led Pakistan Shaheens at the ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai on February 17.