Former New Zealand cricketer Tim Southee has stirred discussions with his bold prediction for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan.
Tim Southeeâs bold prediction
In a recent video shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Southee backed Kane Williamson and Travis Head as the likely top run-getters in the prestigious tournament.
Southee highlighted Williamsonâs adaptability across conditions, calling him a player with a âphenomenal one-day record.â The New Zealand captain, known for his calm and composed batting, has amassed 6,810 runs in 165 ODIs, averaging 48.64, with 13 centuries and 45 fifties. His previous performances in Champions Trophy tournaments further bolster his case, as he has scored 345 runs in just six innings at an average of 69.00, including a century and three fifties.
âI think wickets would be pretty good in Pakistan. Kane Williamson would be up there. Just think about his ability to adapt to different conditions. We have seen his experience in different conditions, his success in different conditions, and he is a guy thatâs got a phenomenal one-day record,â Southee said.
The former Black Caps pacer also named Travis Head as a strong contender for the highest run-scorer title, praising his aggressive approach. Head, who played a crucial role in Australiaâs 2023 ODI World Cup victory, has scored 2,645 runs in 69 ODIs, averaging 44.08, with a strike rate of over 104. His six centuries demonstrate his ability to dominate opposition attacks.
âMaybe Travis Head as well, I think he is a dangerous player. He has been a standout in the ODI World Cup last edition. I think he will like the wickets in Pakistan. Australia have historically been strong in world events, and I am sure they will be there near the end this time as well,â added Southee.
Also READ: Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting predict the finalists of Champions Trophy 2025
No place for Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma in Southeeâs choice of batters
Southeeâs exclusion of Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma from his top picks came as a surprise, given their status as two of the worldâs best ODI batters. Babar currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the ICC Menâs ODI Batting Rankings with 795 rating points, while Rohit follows closely with 765 points. Both players are expected to play key roles for their respective teams, making Southeeâs omission an interesting talking point.
Also, Rohit and Babar have been the leading run-scorers for India and Pakistan respectively in the recent ICC events, mainly the ODI and T20I World Cups.
The upcoming Champions Trophy promises to be an electrifying tournament, with New Zealand kicking off their campaign against hosts Pakistan on February 19, while Australia faces arch-rivals England on February 22. As the cricketing world gears up for the action, all eyes will be on Williamson and Head to see if they can justify Southeeâs confidence and emerge as the tournamentâs top run-scorers.
