5 Greatest Matches in ICC Champions Trophy History

5 Best Matches in ICC Champions Trophy History

The ICC Champions Trophy has always been a stage for high-octane cricket, featuring unforgettable moments, unpredictable results, and fierce rivalries. With seven different teams winning the title across just eight editions, the tournament’s prestige and competitiveness remain unmatched.

Here’s a look at five of the most thrilling encounters in Champions Trophy history.

2002: IND vs SL – The Trophy That Was Shared

Cricket fans anticipated an epic final between India (IND) and Sri Lanka (SL), but the rain had other plans. The match in Colombo was played across two days, only for both games to be washed out before the required 25-over mark in the second innings.

SL posted 244/5 in their first innings on September 29, but after just two overs into IND’s reply, the rain came pouring down. The match was rescheduled for the following day, where SL put up 222/7, but once again, the rain interrupted with IND at 38/1.

According to ICC rules at the time, a minimum of 25 overs needed to be bowled in the second innings for a result. With that condition not met, both teams were declared joint winners a first in the tournament’s history.

2004: ENG vs WI – A Stunning Lower-Order Comeback

The final at The Oval looked firmly in England’s (ENG) hands as they had West Indies (WI) reeling at 147/8 while chasing 218. A first-ever ICC title seemed imminent for the hosts.

But WI’s last recognized pair Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw had other ideas. The duo held their nerve, stitching together an 81-run unbeaten partnership to pull off a miraculous win with just seven balls remaining.

It remains one of the greatest lower-order fightbacks in ODI history.

2009: SA vs ENG – A Centurion Run-Fest

A batting paradise at Centurion saw England (ENG) take on hosts South Africa (SA) in a high-scoring thriller.

Owais Shah (98) led the charge for ENG, launching six massive sixes, while Paul Collingwood (82) anchored the innings. Contributions from Eoin Morgan (67) and Jonathan Trott saw ENG pile up a massive 323/8 one of their highest ODI totals.

SA captain Graeme Smith led a brave chase with a magnificent 141, but James Anderson and Stuart Broad took three wickets each to secure a 22-run victory for England, sending them into the knockout stages.

2013: NZ vs SL – A Low-Scoring Thriller

Not every great match needs towering totals sometimes, low-scoring thrillers create the most tension.

At Cardiff, New Zealand (NZ) bowled out Sri Lanka (SL) for just 138, with Mitchell McClenaghan wreaking havoc (4/43). It looked like an easy chase, but cricket had other plans.

At 48/1, NZ seemed in control, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose three wickets for just one run. The pressure was on, and wickets kept falling.

Nathan McCullum’s crucial 32 proved to be the difference as NZ scraped home with just one wicket in hand one of the most intense finishes in tournament history.

 2017: PAK vs IND – A Rivalry for the Ages

A Champions Trophy final featuring arch-rivals Pakistan (PAK) and India (IND) promised fireworks and it did not disappoint.

Batting first, PAK posted a mammoth 338/4, courtesy of a breathtaking 114 from Fakhar Zaman. The left-hander rode his luck (getting a reprieve on a no-ball) and took full advantage to dismantle the Indian attack.

Then, it was Mohammad Amir’s turn to take center stage. The left-arm pacer produced one of the finest opening spells in ODI history, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan to leave IND in tatters.

PAK bowled IND out for 158, securing their first-ever Champions Trophy title and completing a historic set of ICC trophies.

Final Thoughts

The ICC Champions Trophy has consistently delivered unforgettable matches, from last-over thrillers to historic collapses and dominant performances. With the tournament returning soon, fans can expect more moments that will be etched in cricketing history.

Which Champions Trophy match is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!