With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy set to bring another chapter of thrilling cricket, these classic spells remind us of the magic the tournament has produced over the years
There’s something magnificent about a bowler in full flight—the seam quivering, the stumps tumbling, the batters retreating in confusion. In the ICC Champions Trophy, an event where the world’s finest compete, certain moments have transcended match-winning to become era-defining.
With the 2025 edition on the horizon, now is the perfect time to look back and reassess five historic spells that dismantled batting lineups, shattered dreams, and left an indelible mark on the competition. From a six-wicket blitz that ripped the heart out of the Windies to a leg-spin display that devastated Kenya, these aren’t merely bowling performances; they’re cricketing carnage.
Farveez Maharoof completely devastated the West Indies in just nine overs. In the 2006 Champions Trophy qualifying match at Brabourne, a match that was crucial for both teams to secure a spot in the main tournament, the Sri Lankan bowler delivered an unplayable spell of 6 for 14, restricting the Windies to a mere 80 runs. The ball swung, seamed, and nibbled off the surface as Maharoof ran rampant. During the chase, Sri Lanka hardly broke a sweat, winning by nine wickets with over 36 overs to spare.
This was more than just a brilliant spell; it was a demolition job. And to think that Maharoof was not even Sri Lanka’s leading bowler!
When you think about Shahid Afridi, you immediately think of his explosive batting style. However, in the 2004 Champions Trophy, he let the ball do the talking. Afridi bowled 5 for 11 in six overs against Kenya at Edgbaston, stifling the opposition with a sharp turn and bounce. Kenya collapsed for 94, and PAK scarcely broke a sweat, chasing it down with seven wickets.
Afridi’s stint highlighted that he was more than just a six-hitting monster; on his day, he could also shred batting lineups with his leg-spin.
South Africa’s pace factory has produced some magnificent diamonds, and Makhaya Ntini was among the most ferocious. He ripped through the PAK batting lineup at Mohali in the 2006 tournament, taking 5 for 21 in just six overs. His scorching performance reduced PAK to 89 all out, securing the Proteas a 124-run triumph.
Ntini’s spell was characterised by sheer speed, striking the deck hard and extracting extra bounce that caught batters off guard. On a day when everything went wrong for PAK, Ntini ensured they had no place to breathe.
Accuracy was more important to Glenn McGrath than swing or pace. Against New Zealand in 2002, he demonstrated classic control and consistency. Defending a formidable total of 296, McGrath delivered a 5 for 37 masterpiece, ensuring the Kiwis were bowled out for just 132.
Every ball was on target, and every line was unplayable. So, what happened? Australia won by 164 runs. If ever a bowling spell showcased how discipline and patience can outwit batters, this was it.
This one is a hidden gem. Dale Benkenstein was better known for his batting, but in 2002, he took 3 wickets for 5 runs against Kenya in just 3.5 overs. South Africa had already scored 316 for 5, and Benkenstein’s golden arm wrapped things up swiftly, bowling Kenya out for 140.
While others on this list were known for being terrifying bowlers, Benkenstein’s tenure was a prime example of a part-timer stealing the show on the big stage!
