We have had an incredible Test season, so let’s take a break, shall we?
Nope! The ICC has decided to squeeze in another irrelevant tournament in mid-February, right in the middle of a bazillion T20 leagues, just to make more money!
Even with the return of the ODI tri-series and the India-Pakistan hosting drama, keeping up with all the cricket has been exhausting.
Why not spice things up?
I just love musicals. So here is a Champions Trophy 2025 preview paired with a song that perfectly captures the essence of each team.
To get the full experience, take a moment and listen to all these performances. Feel the music.
1. Afghanistan – “Time to Defy Gravity”, Wicked
Defying Gravity Lyrics
“Something has changed within me, something is not the same.
I am through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.
Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep.
It’s time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and LEAP.
It’s time to try defying gravity. I think I’ll try defying gravity. Kiss my goodbye, I’m defying gravity…And you can’t pull me down.
I’m through accepting limits ’cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I’ll never know.
Too long I’ve been afraid of losing love I guess I’ve lost…..”
…Everyone Deserves a Chance to FLY! And if I am flying solo, at least I am flying FREE.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for Afghanistan’s Chances in Champions Trophy 2025
The amount of talent in Afghanistan’s grass root cricket is unparalleled. From the depths of Division V cricket in 2008 all the way to the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024, their rise has been heartwarming. A team outside of the top 10 taking giant strides is a beautiful story in the world of sport, let alone cricket.
But now Afghanistan, it is time to jump to the next level. It’s time to Leap and Defy Gravity.
No Mujeeb, No Ghazanfar, No Naveen-ul-Haq. No Qais. And yet, they boast an XI of
- 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), 5. Azmatullah Omarzai, 6. Gulbadin Naib, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Naveed Zadran, 10. Fazalhaq Farooq, 11. Noor Ahmad with talented players like Sediquallah Atal waiting on the sidelines.
The complete ODI unit. All bases covered, multiple stars, and the heart of it all, the ever passionate Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan cricket, you really deserve a chance to fly.
2. India – “The Winner Takes it All”, Mamma Mia
Mamma Mia Lyrics
“I don’t wanna talk about things we’ve gone through,
Though it’s hurting me, Now it’s history.
I’ve played all my cards And that’s what you’ve done too. Nothing more to say, no more ace to play.
The winner takes it all. The loser’s standing small. Beside the victory, That’s her destiny.
…But I was a fool, playing by the rules. The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for India’s Chances in Champions Trophy 2025
Let’s take a moment and appreciate Meryl Streep’s greatness in that clip.
In any case, India won a T20 World Cup last year, but the scars of the ODI World Cup Final have never really healed. The mention of November 19th sends shivers down all Indian cricket fans’ spines even to this day. India know more so than any other team in the last decade that “the winner takes it all,” and indeed, “the loser has to fall”—2017 Champions Trophy Final, 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final, 2023 ODI World Cup Final.
No Bumrah, an injury prone Shami, a Kohli that is low on confidence, and an inexperienced Rana, no Siraj, no Jaiswal, and none of the hundred other players India keep producing.
And guess what? India still go in as favorites. Watch out for Shreyas Iyer, the antidote to the #4 achilles heels. With KL-Axar-Jadeja-Hardik following and Arshdeep-Kuldeep-Varun, India have multiple X-factors (and Rohit-Gill themselves are doing pretty well themselves with recent centuries).
So team India, though it still hurts, the 2023 WC Final is now history. Time to forget, forgive, and win an ICC ODI Trophy.
Also Read: An Open Letter From a Cricket Fan to Those In Charge of Indian Cricket, Dravid’s Ode to Joy, A Symphonic Masterpiece as Team India Lifts the 2024 T20 World Cup
3. England – “Memory”, Cats
Memory (Cats) Lyrics
“Memory, turn your face to the moonlight. Let your memory lead you. Open up, enter in.
If you find there, the meaning of what happiness is. Then a new life will begin.
Memory…I can smile at the old days. I was beautiful then.
I remember, the time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for England’s Chances in Champions Trophy 2025
Eoin Morgan’s retirement anniversary is circulating on social media. You don’t really know what you had until it is gone. The likes of Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, Liam Plunkett, Moeen Ali changed the way England play limited overs cricket. The clutch game awareness of Ben Stokes and Alex Hales would later seal the deal with the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Since then? 7th in the ODI World Cup, an abysmal 4-10 record, and have lost every ODI series since then: Twice against West Indies and one each against Australia & India.
Not all hope is lost though. Joe Root is back and they possess a ruthless fast bowling squad of Carse-Atkinson-Archer-Wood-Overton-Mahmood. They have the ingredients, but something needs to change in their belief and gameplay.
Otherwise, all that will be left is memories of an ancient time when England were good.
🗓️ #OnThisDay in 2023…
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 13, 2025
Eoin Morgan retired from all forms of cricket.
Innovator. Motivator. World Champion.pic.twitter.com/Gi1TSdYyGU
Also Read: What is Bazball? The Official Definition of Bazball is…
4. South Africa – “I Dreamed a Dream”, Les Miserable
I Dreamed A Dream Lyrics
“I dreamed a dream in time gone by when hope was high and life worth living. I dreamed that love would never die. I dreamed that God would be forgiving.
Then I was young and unafraid. And dreams were made and used and wasted….
..But the tigers come at night with their voices soft as thunder. As they tear your hope apart as they turn your dream to shame.
And still I dream he’ll come to me…But there are dreams that cannot be and there are storms we cannot weather.
I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I’m living. So different now from what it seemed now life has killed the dream I dreamed.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for South Africa’s Chances in Champions Trophy 2025
So near, yet so far has been the story for the Proteas in ICC tournaments. Historically, tigers have come at night, teared their hopes, and killed their dreams. Every. Single. Time.
With the women going past the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup, we thought the monkey is off the back. And yes, the semi-final monkey is gone. But now they have Finals horrors—Two Women’s T20 World Cup finals, one men’s T20 World Cup final, and now an U-19 women’s WC final (with a WTC Final on the horizon).
They have a good combination of youth and experience this time around. Bavuma-Rassie-Markram-Miler-Klaasen-Shamsi-Maharaj-Rabada-Ngidi form the core of the side with in-form Ryan Rickleton, Tony de Zorzi, Stubbs, and Jansen to support.
Is 2025 going to be South Africa’s year?
Also Read: 20 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined)
5. New Zealand – “Never Be Enough”, Greatest Showman
Never Be Enough Lyrics
“All the shine of a thousand of spotlights. All the stars we steal from the night sky.
Will never be enough. Never be enough.
Towers of gold are still too little. These hands could hold the world but it’ll Never be enough. Never be enough.
For me, Never, never, never for me….Never enough, Never enough…..“
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for New Zealand’s Chances in Champions Trophy 2025
The Kiwis have made it a habit to steal other teams’ stars during ICC tournaments. And yet, they somehow end up falling short and are never enough.
This side looks different. The 2015-2023 generation is basically all gone. No Guptills, Southees, or Boults.
They are coming off a convincing tri-series win. With a new captain in Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson rolling out centuries for fun, Will O’Rourke, the new six and a half foot giant in NZ’s armory, and the ultimate all-rounder in Glenn Phillips, NZ are the dark horse yet again.
The White Ferns won the T20 World Cup in November. Can New Zealand make it two in two?
6. Pakistan – “I Am Not Throwing Away My Shot”, Hamilton
I Am Not Throwing Away My Shot Lyrics
“I am not throwin’ away my shot…I’m young, scrappy and hungry, and I’m not throwin’ away my shot.
…I probably shouldn’t brag, but dang, I amaze and astonish. The problem is I got a lot of brains but not polish.
I gotta holler just to be heard…I’m a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal…Eventually, you’ll see my ascendancy.
….And I’m not throwin’ away my shot. It’s time to take a shot.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for Pakistan’s Chance in Champions Trophy 2025
You can never really guess which Pakistan will show up for an ICC tournament. Will it be the cornered tigers or the one that crashed out against the USA in 2024 T20 World Cup?
They have the talent, but are not a polished unit yet. Babar and Shaheen are not in the greatest of forms, they have conceded 350+ runs recently, and they have even puled Faheem Ashraf out of thin air. But guess what? Fakhar-Rizwan are in form, they have successfully chased 350+, and they have found Salman Agha at #5.
As a non-Big 3 nation, they have to holler just to be heard in the world of cricket. However, this is the best chance they have had in years. They have the home crowd to bank. It’s time to take your shot, Pakistan.
7. Bangladesh – “Stayin’ Alive”, Saturday Night Fever
Stayin’ Alive Lyrics
“Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother, You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.
…Life goin’ nowhere, somebody help me….”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for Bangladesh’s Chance in Champions Trophy 2025
Not much to say here. Bangladesh just need to survive and stay alive in a group of India, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has insisted that Bangladesh are going for the win and are not playing just for participation points. Without their talisman Shakib, does Bangladesh have enough firepower?
Look out for Towhid Hridoy, a retiring Mahmudullah, the all-round greatness of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and the fast bowling wealth Bangladesh have recently have found.
8. Australia – “So Long, Farewell”, Sound of Music
So Long, Farewell Lyrics
“So long, farewell. Auf Wiedersehen, good night.
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.
…I am glad to go, I cannot tell a lie…goodbye!”
Interpretation for Australia’s Chances in Champions Trophy 2025
This is not a picture of Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl from the Sound of Music.
Rather, it is a picture of Marcus Stoinis (retired), Mitchell Starc (personal reasons), Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh (injured) bidding adieu to the Champions Trophy.
With BGT & the Test season finished, the IPL around the corner, and the recent 0-2 hammering by Sri Lanka including a 174-run loss, Australia are portraying a lackadaisical approach to their CT 25 preparation.
This obviously means, they will somehow manage to win yet another ICC trophy.
Embed from Getty Images9. Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland – “Don’t Forget Me”, Smash
Don’t Forget Me Lyrics
“They thought they could dispose of me, they tried to make me small.
I suffered each indignity.
But now I rise about it all, Yes the price the paid was all I had…The past can rest in peace.
…I pray that you don’t forget me.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for the Forgotten Cricket Teams
Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka are scoring centuries. Wellalage and Theekshana are bamboozling the Australian batters.
West Indies have a 4-2 record in ODIs against England in the last two years. Shai Hope is an ODI legend, Evin Lewis has made a marvelous comeback, Motie-Forde-Jayden Seales are the next gen. Sherfane Rutherford-Hetmyer-Pooran form a formidable middle order.
Brian Bennett scores a 169 in an ODI. Sikandar Raza keeps winning T20 matches around the world, and they have the accuracy of Blessing Muzarabani-Ngarava to keep them competitive.
Ireland defeats South Africa by 69 runs and yearn for more cricket against the top teams.
And yet, none of these four proud cricketing nations will compete in the Champions Trophy. I hope we don’t forget these teams, and the ICC keeps growing the game of cricket.
Also Read: ICC, I Plead You, It’s Time to Give Scotland & Netherlands Full Membership
Bonus: Pakistan, the Host Nation: “I see the Light”, Tangled
I See the Light Lyrics
“All those days watching from the windows. All those years outside looking in.
…Now I’m here blinking in the starlight…I’m where I’m meant to be.
And at last I see the light and it’s like the fog has been lifted.…It’s like the sky is new. And the world has somehow shifted.”
Embed from Getty ImagesInterpretation for Pakistan Hosting an ICC Trophy
Since 2008-09, Pakistan fans have been deprived of watching cricket at home.
Pakistan cricket has been on the outside looking in all these years. However, now, the fog has been lifted. I hope this is a turning point in Pakistan cricket, and they host a memorable tournament.
Bonus 2 : For the Cricket Fans: “A Million Dreams”
A Million Dreams Lyrics
“They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy.
They can say, they can say I’ve lost my mind…We can live in a world that we design.
‘Cause every night I lie in bed, the brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake. I think of what the world could be, the vision of the one I see.
….However big, However small, let me be a part of it all. Share your dreams with me.“
Interpretation
And finally, for the fans.
The amount of cricket has been increasing and the quality has been decreasing. The Champions Trophy feels like yet another meaningless tournament played in an almost forgotten format.
Regardless of this disillusion, we all are pure cricket fans deep down. So let’s hope that the cricket in the Champions Trophy is enthralling and the billion dreams continue to keep fans awake around the world.
Other Musicals That Did Not Make it in the Final Cut
- Edelweiss from the Sound of Music
- The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera
- Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
- Maria from West Side Story
- We Don’t Talk about Bruno from Encanto
If You Liked this Music and Cricket Crossover, you may also enjoy
- 200th Article Special: 5 Things I have Learned From My Journey of Cricket Writing
- Cricket’s Reflections of Passion
- 24 Cricketers with Musical Talent Who Will Rock You Ft. Don Bradman, Sreesanth, and AB De Villiers
- 61 Best Sport Movies, TV Shows, & Documentaries (Updated 2023) – Hollywood & Bollywood Combined
© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 02/14/2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).
0 Comments