Champions Trophy 2025 : How Centuries Are Dominating the Champions Trophy
Newz Daddy Champions Trophy 2025 Updates
Synopsis in Bullet Points
- The Champions Trophy has seen a record-breaking start with 5 centuries in the first 3 matches, surpassing previous World Cup and Champions Trophy editions.
- Ryan Rickelton (South Africa) scored 103, joining Shubman Gill (India), Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh), Will Young, and Tom Latham (New Zealand) in the century club.
- Batting-friendly pitches in Pakistan and Dubai, combined with dew and fast outfields, are driving high scores (e.g., SA’s 315/6 vs Afghanistan).
- Players and coaches note the subcontinental pitches resemble South Africa’s Wanderers Stadium, favoring batters but still requiring skill.
- Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah (90) narrowly missed a century, highlighting middle-order struggles.
- Historical context: Pakistan’s ODI pitches have averaged the highest batting scores globally since 2019, with frequent 300+ totals.
- Coaches like Jonathan Trott (Afghanistan) emphasize partnerships and execution despite favorable batting conditions.
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Cricket fans, hold onto your hats! The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has exploded into life with batters dominating like never before. In just three days, the tournament has already rewritten history books, leaving bowlers scratching their heads and fans cheering for more.
The opening matches have been a batter’s paradise. South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton kicked off the fireworks on Friday with a stylish 103, guiding his team to a mammoth 315/6 against Afghanistan. His knock wasn’t just about power—it was a masterclass in timing and patience. But Rickelton isn’t alone. India’s young star Shubman Gill smashed an unbeaten 101, while Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy announced himself on the global stage with a gutsy 100. Even New Zealand’s veterans joined the party: Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*) set the tone earlier with a clinical display against Pakistan.
The secret lies in the pitches. Pakistan’s surfaces, known for their flatness and quick outfields, have turned into batting paradises. South African skipper Temba Bavuma compared Karachi’s pitch to a “day-three Wanderers track”—a reference to Johannesburg’s bouncy, batter-friendly strip. Add evening dew, which makes the ball skid faster, and you’ve got a recipe for big scores.
Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah nearly added his name to the century list with a valiant 90, but Kagiso Rabada’s sharp bowling ended his hopes. Despite the loss, Shah’s effort showed how batters can thrive here—if they adapt.
While fans love sixes and centuries, bowlers are feeling the heat. Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s coach, didn’t mince words: “If one player scores 90, others need to step up. We lacked partnerships.” His frustration echoed a broader trend—teams are struggling to balance aggressive batting with disciplined bowling.
Historically, Pakistan has been a batter’s dream. Since international cricket returned here in 2019, ODI teams have crossed 300 runs 16 times in 27 matches. Dubai, another host city, joined the run-fest too, surprising experts given its slower reputation.
New Zealand’s Will Young summed it up best: “Forget the past—focus on the next game.” His mindset reflects the tournament’s ruthless nature. South Africa’s Rickelton agreed, saying, “You still have to execute, even on good pitches.”
With group stages heating up, teams must rethink strategies. Can bowlers adapt? Will we see more 400+ totals? One thing’s certain: this Champions Trophy is proving that modern cricket belongs to the brave—and the batters.
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