The Champions Trophy of ICC (International Cricket Council)  is the second most important event after world cup cricket. The champion trophy starts in 1998 with the name ICC Knock out Championship and from that day it has been organized by ICC every 2 years. In 2002 its name name changes to champion trophy. In first four events all 10 ICC members took part but from now on only 8 teams of highest ranked will qualify for the ICC champions trophy.

Format of Champions trophy

The format of this Trophy is different as compared to World Cup. The Champions Trophy organized after two years, on the other side World Cup came after four years. For winning the ICC Champions trophy you should had to win almost every match in the tournament. Losing even a single match means exclusion from the tournament while in world cup the strategy is different.

In the year 2002 and the year 2004, 12 teams participate in the tournament and make four pools included three teams. The winner of each pool enters in semi-final. Each team had to play four games that mean two matches in its pool  then semi-final and in the end  final. In 2006 there is a change in the format. Now 8 teams played and make 2 pools of having four teams each. In this scenario, the first two teams of each pool will play semi-finals.

In early Knock Out championship the format is different from the current Trophy. knock out championship held with out any pools and which loose the match had to leave the tournament.

ICC Knock Out tournament 1998

In ICC Knock Out of 1998 the tournament was hosted by Bangladesh. The opening match of the tournament is between Zimbabwe and New Zealand. The winner of this tournament is South Africa.

ICC Knock Out tournament 2000

The host of the this tournament is Kenya. 3 qualifying matches played before the start of Quarter Finals. England,  India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Kenya reach the quarter finals. New Zealand and India reach the semi final and the final was won by New Zealand.

ICC Champions Trophy 2002

The ICC Champions Trophy of 2002  was hosted by Sri Lanka. Twelve teams included in this tournament. India and the host Sri Lanka reach the final. Final match is ended without any result that’s why the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was mutually rewarded to Sri Lanka and India.

ICC Champions Trophy 2004

The ICC Champions Trophy of 2004 was hosted by England. 15 matches were played at three places: The Rose Bowl ,The Oval and Edgbaston. West Indies got the title.

ICC Champions Trophy 2006

The ICC Champions Trophy of 2006 was hosted by India. In this tournament a new strategy was Introduced. 8 teams were opposing in the tournament. The upper six teams were selected from the ranking first April 2006.West Indies and Sri Lanka qualified from a qualifying round

The total 8 teams were divided into 2 groups. For semifinals West Indies and Australia came from Group A, New Zealand and South Africa from Group B. In Semi Finals West Indies and Australia defeat South Africa and New Zealand, respectively. Australia and West Indies reached the final. Final match won by Australia.

Future Tournaments

After the champion trophy of 2006, the ICC gave the name of Pakistan for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy of 2008. Champions Trophy of 2010 will be hosted by West Indies.

24th August 2008 ICC declared that the Champions Trophy of 2008 which was hosted by Pakistan has been delayed to next year because some countries were unwilling to came Pakistan due to security reasons.