Cricket

ICC Champions Trophy Preview And Betting Tips (2025)

7 months ago

| BY Sam Cox

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy – initially due to be hosted solely by Pakistan – is being held across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

India refused to play in Pakistan, meaning the venue of the final will depend on whether India are involved. This could have an impact on William Hill’s cricket odds for the showpiece, depending on the matchup.

This is the first Champions Trophy held outside of England since 2009, and the first edition of the competition since 2017. Pakistan were champions eight years ago, defeating England in the final, but a lot has changed in international cricket since then. Only seven of the 22 players in that final are in the squads for this tournament.

Injuries have already altered the outlook for this tournament. Jasprit Bumrah, Jacob Bethell, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Anrich Nortje have been ruled out. Haris Rauf, Ben Duckett, Lockie Ferguson, and Rachin Ravindra are among the players who might unavailable for the first round of matches.

South Africa to win Group B – 5/2

South Africa lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in their two warm-up matches after suffering a 3-0 series sweep at the hands of Pakistan just before Christmas.

Temba Bavuma’s team are not to be taken lightly in the ICC Champions Trophy, however. Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj are experienced, canny spin options. Their pace attack is arguably the best in the world, even with Nortje sidelined.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and co. are going to find ways to get wickets even on unhelpful pitches. The powerful Henrich Klaasen headlines an underrated batting lineup, which always makes South Africa a team to consider in the live betting markets.

Australia are considerably weakened. England have won seven out of 20 ODIs since the start of the 2023 World Cup. Afghanistan suit the home conditions, but do they have the batting firepower to beat South Africa?

Name the Finalists: Pakistan & South Africa – 14/1

Both teams top their groups. South Africa’s batters beat India on a flat pitch in Dubai. Pakistan – cheered on by a boisterous crowd in Lahore – dispatch Australia or Afghanistan.

This final is a longshot according to the betting markets, but it doesn’t seem sufficiently far-fetched to have a 14/1 price. Yes, there’s a risk they meet in the semis, yet these teams could also matchup in the final if they finish second in their respective groups.

New Zealand and England are the only teams to beat Pakistan in a bilateral ODI series since the 2019 World Cup. A defeat in England doesn’t impact our evaluation of Pakistan in a home tournament.

A low-ceiling batting lineup is Pakistan’s biggest weakness, but home conditions should bring out their best.

Marco Jansen to be Top Bowler – 16/1

In eight previous editions of the Champions Trophy, spinners have only topped the wicket charts on two occasions. The conditions are going to benefit spin bowlers in Pakistan and the UAE, but pace bowlers still generate plenty of wickets.

Aggressive powerplay batting leads to opportunities for the quicks, even if their economy rates are high. Most teams still stick with pace at the death, which often results in some easy wickets as teams slam the accelerator to the floor.

Marco Jansen moves the new ball, can nail yorkers at the death, and has amassed an impressive white-ball CV, including 19 wickets at 18.42 in the SA20. If you fancy South Africa to make it out the group, Jansen is an excellent bet at this price.

Kane Williamson to be Top Batsman – 16/1

New Zealand have made at least the semi-finals in the last five 50-over World Cups. Their ICC Champions Trophy record is less impressive, with group-stage exits in the last two editions.

The Kiwis have a knack for upping their game at tournament time, though, and have plenty of big-game experience, even without Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Kane Williamson averages 61.06 with a strike rate of 80.31 in tournament matches. He’s scored 12 fifties and three centuries. Across six Champions Trophy matches, the averages 69.

New Zealand’s greatest ever batter had 133 not out and 58 in two warm-up matches in Lahore. His 233 runs in the SA20 were the most of any player to bat fewer than eight times, and the 12th-most overall.

Back Williamson to deliver another sensational tournament performance.