Explained: Why Sri Lanka are not part of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Sri Lanka finished fourth in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fever is running high among fans. The event, set to begin on February 19 in Karachi, is considered one of the most competitive ICC tournaments, bringing together the world’s top eight teams.

The tournament’s eight participating teams – Pakistan (hosts), India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan are divided into two groups, A and B, where the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

The format, however, has left some fans confused about Sri Lanka’s exclusion from the tournament. The 1996 World Champions are one of the most in-form teams in ODI cricket currently. Having defeated India in a three-match ODI series in 2024, they whitewashed Australia 2-0 in the ODI series on February 14.

On that note, let’s take a look at why Sri Lanka are not a part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Why Sri Lanka are not part of ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, the qualification period for the 2025 Champions Trophy ended in 2023. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was chosen as the event to determine teams who will play at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The hosts (Pakistan) and top seven teams from the league stage of the 2023 World Cup qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Sri Lanka had an underwhelming campaign in the 2023 World Cup in India, where they finished ninth in the league stage and narrowly missed out on a qualification spot.

The Asian giants won just two games, ending with four points – the same as Bangladesh, who finished eighth. Sri Lanka, however, had a lower NRR of -1.419 compared to Bangladesh’s -1.087.

Sri Lanka’s resurgence under head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has brought optimism about the nation’s future in white-ball cricket. They will look to continue their good form leading up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

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