Champions Trophy: Hosts Pakistan match India, South Africa's dubious tournament record with group stage exit

NEW DELHI: Pakistan, the defending champions, have been knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and India, respectively.
Their early exit was sealed when New Zealand defeated Bangladesh on Monday, eliminating Pakistan from the tournament before the knockout stage. With that, Pakistan became the third host nation, after India and South Africa, to be eliminated in the group stage of the tournament.
In a dead rubber on Thursday, Pakistan will lock horns against Bangladesh in their final group-stage match of the tournament.
Over the years, different nations have hosted the ICC Champions Trophy, with varying levels of success for the home teams.
In 1998, Bangladesh was awarded hosting rights to promote cricket in the country, though they did not participate as they were not yet a Test-playing nation. Despite devastating floods threatening the tournament, it went ahead, with 10% of gate revenue donated to flood relief efforts.
In 2000, Kenya hosted the event but was eliminated in the pre-quarter-finals after an eight-wicket loss to India, with Rahul Dravid starring with the bat and Anil Kumble winning Player of the Match.
In 2002, Sri Lanka hosted and topped their group, eventually reaching the final against India. However, rain on both the final and reserve days forced the teams to share the trophy.
England hosted the 2004 edition, reaching the final but losing to the West Indies.
In 2006, India hosted the tournament but failed to progress past the group stage, finishing behind Australia and the West Indies.
South Africa hosted in 2009 but had a disappointing campaign, finishing fourth in their group and failing to advance.
England and Wales hosted again in 2013, with India defeating the hosts in the final to claim their second Champions Trophy title.
In 2017, England once again hosted but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Pakistan, who went on to win their maiden Champions Trophy.
Now, in 2025, Pakistan hosted the tournament but suffered an early exit, marking another instance where the host nation failed to capitalise on home advantage.