5 up-and-coming stars to watch for at the ICC Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy kicks off on Wednesday in Pakistan, showcasing several promising up-and-coming stars. Here are five potential breakout stars of the tournament:

Tayyab Tahir (Pakistan)

Middle-order batsman Tayyab Tahir emerged as a star for Pakistan in the 2023 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, leading his team to victory in the final against arch-rivals India with a scintillating century. Tahir, 31, has had a strong run in the domestic circuit and a few T20 outings for Pakistan before making his ODI debut last year. Although his scores in white-ball internationals have been moderate, with a highest of 39 not out in a T20 game, he has received praise from pundits. Fast-bowling legend Wasim Akram called him a “very exciting talent” after his impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League.

Tom Banton (England)

Somerset batsman Tom Banton joined England in India for the final ODI of this month’s series and displayed his talent with a 38-run knock. The 26-year-old, who batted at number three in Ahmedabad, came in as cover for the injured Jacob Bethell and was subsequently included in England’s Champions Trophy squad. Playing his seventh ODI and first since August 2020, Banton took on the Indian spinners and hit a spectacular six off Washington Sundar with a switch hit over backward point. Banton has been in top form in T20 franchise cricket, leading the batting charts in the UAE’s premier competition with 493 runs, including two centuries from 11 innings.

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Aaron Hardie (Australia)

Seam-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie, 26, gets his opportunity following the sudden retirement of Marcus Stoinis ahead of the Champions Trophy. Hardie, a right-arm pacer and powerful batter, made an impact against Sri Lanka with figures of 2-13 and scored 32 runs before Australia fell short in Colombo. He first turned heads in 2018 when he dismissed Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a tour game for Cricket Australia XI and scored 86 runs with the bat. Hardie made his white-ball debut for Australia in 2023 and is still seeking a performance to solidify his place in the team.

Will O’Rourke (New Zealand)

The 23-year-old Will O’Rourke made his ODI debut in 2023, but it was his opening Test at home that garnered attention after he claimed a match haul of nine wickets against South Africa. Recently, he played a crucial role with figures of 4-43 for the Black Caps in their victory over Pakistan in the tri-series final in Karachi, the venue for the Champions Trophy opener between the same two teams. With tearaway quick Ben Sears ruled out and Lockie Ferguson recovering from a hamstring injury, New Zealand will rely on O’Rourke and senior quick Matt Henry to deliver.

Varun Chakravarthy (India)

A late addition to the Indian squad for the tournament, wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy is expected to add value to the bowling line-up on the slow pitches in Dubai. The 33-year-old made his ODI debut in this month’s England series after claiming 14 wickets in India’s 4-1 T20 triumph. Chakravarthy has been a standout in the Indian Premier League, playing a key role with 21 wickets in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title triumph last year. As part of a formidable Indian spin attack, coach Gautam Gambhir believes he could offer the “X-factor.”