Former cricketers and pundits have slammed India's "undeniable" advantage of playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, while the other seven teams have to shuttle between three venues in Pakistan, and the UAE.

Group B's two winless sides clash in a mouth-watering must-win ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 showdown in Lahore today. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bat first. 

Klaasen could feature in South Africa's final Group B game against England in Karachi on Saturday.

With India and New Zealand having booked their place into the semifinals from Group A, all eyes are now on Group B, with all four teams still in the fray.

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has slammed Bangladesh veteran Mahmudullah for his performance against New Zealand in the Champions trophy game on Monday.

Ahead of the contest, more than 160 British politicians have called for England to boycott the game in protest against the Taliban government's restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan.

The Australia vs South Africa game at the Champions Trophy was abandoned without a ball being bowled, as a result of which the two teams split points in Group B.

There are no more second chances for either of these sides.

Both teams need a win on Wednesday in Lahore to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals in the 50-over tournament after losing their respective openers.

Bangladesh team manager Rabeed Imam reminded all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz to check the honours board at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, as the latter was waiting to face the media in the Mixed Zone following their Champions Trophy game against New Zealand.

The title-holders lost their opening game to New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi last week before Sunday's six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India pushed them to the brink of an early exit.

Ultimately, Bangladesh remain trapped in an endless cycle: talking big to create pre-tournament hype, crumbling under pressure, and then scrambling for excuses.

Bangladesh losing convincingly to India and New Zealand and being out of contention for a spot in the semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy may seem like the worst thing about the team’s ongoing campaign in Pakistan and the UAE, but it’s not.

PCB and PCB are also discussing playing a series in the short window in July-August in Bangladesh.

Smith, who recently captained Australia to victory over England in the ongoing Champions Trophy, has signed to play for Welsh Fire, coached by former Australia batsman Mike Hussey.

Afghanistan is set to face England in Lahore on Wednesday in their second group-stage match of the Champions Trophy, marking their debut in the tournament.

South Africa top the pool on net run-rate from Australia with both teams on three points after winning their opening fixtures against Afghanistan and England respectively.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed Babar Azam for his showings in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, calling him ‘a fraud’, and also put the Pakistan team on blast for their lacklustre performance.

The weather in Islamabad and its twin city of Rawalpindi has suddenly changed over the last 12 hours as it is currently witnessing drizzle with shivering cold around the capital of Pakistan.

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer criticised Bangladesh’s poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy, saying that the Tiger’s ‘don’t turn up’ in ICC events.