Former England batter Kevin Pietersen predicted his semi-finalist teams for the forth-coming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on 19 February in Pakistan.
While sharing his thoughts in a recent interview, the flamboyant batter confidently named arch-rivals India and Pakistan as top contenders for the title.
However, Pietersen surprisingly ruled out England and Australia as the semi-finalists due to their recent form and injury concerns.
“I mean, this is so hard. It really is. But with Mitchell Starc pulling out today, I’m gonna say India, Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand,” said Pietersen.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Kevin Pietersen further backed South Africa and New Zealand as the two other teams to reach the semi-finals of the marquee tournament.
He stated that these teams have the potential to make a deep run in the competition.
For the unversed, Starc withdrew from the tournament, citing personal reasons, which means Australia will be without their famed pace trio in the mega event.
Starc’s compatriots Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy after sustaining injuries.
It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.
The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.
In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host tournament play. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.
Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
READ: England batter faces injury scare ahead of Champions Trophy 2025