Top seven teams of World Cup to play in Champions Trophy 2025 with hosts Pakistan
New Delhi (PTI): Finishing inside top seven on the ongoing World Cup table will have an added incentive to the teams as they will receive qualification for the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 alongside designated hosts Pakistan.
The ICC had revived the Champions Trophy in 2021 for the international calendar of 2024-2031 and the two editions of the tournament will be staged in 2025 and 2029.
The Champions Trophy is also set to follow the traditional format four teams divided into two groups with top two sides from each group entering the semifinals which is followed by the final.
But this qualification system, which was approved in 2021 during an ICC board meeting, might hamper the prospects of teams like England and Bangladesh in getting a Champions Trophy slot.
Looking at the scenario, England are currently placed 10th on the World Cup chart with just two points, and Bangladesh are on ninth with two points.
Both the teams have three more matches left in the tournament and need some massive turnaround to lift themselves among the top seven.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan had asserted the importance of finishing inside the top seven in the World Cup.
"I mean, not the semifinal hope. It is not a semifinal possibility. At least, we need to do a little better. Suppose, you have to be in the (top) ranking 8 if you want to play in the Champions Trophy (2025).
"So, there are still three matches left considering that in mind," Shakib said on Saturday after Bangladesh's defeat against the Netherlands.
The Dutch outfit and Afghanistan are currently eighth and seventh respectively in the table and can realistically dream of getting a berth in the Champions Trophy.
Another drawback of this system is that teams like West Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe stand no chance to qualify for the Champions Trophy because they are not playing in this World Cup.
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Looking forward to my upcoming Israel visit: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was looking forward to his upcoming visit to Israel.
The prime minister said this on X in response to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comment that Modi will visit Israel on Wednesday.
"Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress.
"Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visit," he said.
In a post on X on Sunday morning, Netanyahu spoke about the historic visit of "my dear friend", Prime Minister Modi, to Israel on Wednesday.
He said the bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance between two global leaders.
"We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision. Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress," he said.
Netanyahu said that from artificial intelligence to regional cooperation, the partnership between India and Israel continues to reach new heights.
"Looking forward to seeing you in Jerusalem, PM Modi!" he said.
