The 3 teams with the weakest opening pairs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are struggling with inconsistent performers at the top. Inexperienced openers and inconsistent partnerships could hinder their ability to set strong foundations, putting pressure on the middle-order and limiting their chances in the tournament.
1. Bangladesh – Tanzid Hasan and Saumya Sarkar
Bangladesh’s opening pair of Tanzid Hasan and Saumya Sarkar has been a point of concern for the team in international cricket. Tanzid, although a promising young talent, has struggled with consistency at the top of the order. His performances have often been sporadic, and he has faced difficulties against quality bowling attacks. On the other hand, Saumya Sarkar, while more experienced, has not been able to deliver consistently at the international level. Although he can score quickly, he has a tendency to get dismissed early, putting undue pressure on the middle order. In high-pressure tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy, Bangladesh’s ability to get a strong start will be crucial. Without consistent performances from this opening pair, the team could face early collapses and struggle to compete against stronger opposition.
2. Afghanistan – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan’s opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran has often been a weak link in their batting lineup. Gurbaz is known for his aggressive style and ability to score quickly, but he struggles with consistency and tends to get out early. While he can be explosive, his inability to build partnerships under pressure has been a concern. Zadran, a promising talent, still lacks the experience to anchor the innings against top-quality bowling attacks. His performances have been inconsistent, and he often fails to establish solid partnerships. Heading into the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan’s success heavily depends on a strong and reliable opening stand to avoid pressure on the middle order.
3. New Zealand – Will Young and Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand’s opening pair of Will Young and Rachin Ravindra presents a potential weakness heading into the ICC Champions Trophy. Young has shown glimpses of form in domestic cricket but struggles to convert his starts into big scores at the international level. This inconsistency makes it harder for the team to build strong foundations early on. Ravindra, a promising young all-rounder, is still finding his footing in international cricket. His lack of experience under pressure could be a challenge against top-tier bowlers. Without a stable opening partnership, New Zealand might struggle to set a platform for the middle-order, which could affect their performance in the tournament.