The excitement surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai. However, the tournament is set to be marred by the absence of some notable stars. Here, we highlight five players whose absence will greatly affect their respective teams.
1. Saim Ayub
Young Pakistani opener Saim Ayub will miss the Champions Trophy due to a significant ankle injury that requires a rehabilitation period of 10 weeks. The injury occurred during the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town earlier this January. Ayub’s absence robs Pakistan of a promising talent who had shown great potential in recent outings.
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2. Pat Cummins
Australia will face a major setback without their World Cup-winning captain, Pat Cummins. Despite hopes for a quick recovery from his ankle injury, Cummins has been ruled out of the marquee tournament. His leadership and bowling prowess are irreplaceable, making this a crucial loss for the Australian lineup.
3. Anrich Nortje
The recent injuries of South African cricketers have cast a cloud of uncertainty over their performances. Anrich Nortje’s back injury is a significant blow to the Proteas, especially given his recent participation in the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament in December. Nortje’s IPL team, KKR, will also feel the impact of this setback.
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4. Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood has been grappling with injuries for some time, having been sidelined during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As he continues to heal from a calf strain, the seasoned pacer will not take the field in the Champions Trophy. His experience and skill in the pace attack will be greatly missed by the Australian squad.
5. Marcus Stoinis
In a surprising move, Australia’s all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has announced his immediate retirement from ODI cricket, effectively ruling himself out of the upcoming Champions Trophy. At 35, Stoinis will now shift his focus to T20 cricket, leaving Australia to fill the void left by his decision.
6. Gerald Coetzee:
Gerald Coetzee’s groin issue has dealt a blow to South Africa’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Coetzee’s selection had already generated excitement after being named in the Proteas ODI tri-series squad in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the groin issue will keep him out of contention for selection.
The absence of these star players not only affects their individual teams but also shapes the dynamics of the Champions Trophy. As the tournament approaches, fans and teams alike will feel the impact of these missing talents.