The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the return of the iconic ODI tournament after an eight-year hiatus, with teams gearing up through high-stakes warm-up matches to refine strategies and address weaknesses. Hosted in a hybrid model across Pakistan and the UAE, this edition blends political pragmatism with cricketing excellence. Here’s an in-depth look at the preparations, rivalries, and narratives shaping the tournament.
Champions Trophy Warm-Up Matches
Schedule of matches:
14 February – Pakistan Shaheens v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
16 February – New Zealand v Afghanistan, National Stadium, Karachi
17 February – Pakistan Shaheens v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
17 February – Pakistan Shaheens v Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai
*All games will be day-night fixtures
Every squad for Champions Trophy
Champions Trophy squads:
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
Bangladesh squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch. Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Shaheens squads:
v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Arafat Minhas, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Kashif Ali, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir Khan, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Muhammad Irfan Khan
v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi – Mohammad Huraira (captain), Amad Butt, Faisal Akram, Hassan Nawaz, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, and Saad Khan
v Bangladesh, ICC Academy, Dubai – Mohammad Haris (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Azan Awais, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Moqim and Usama Mir
Purpose of Warm-Ups
Warm-up matches serve as a critical testing ground for teams to finalize squad combinations, assess player fitness, and adapt to subcontinental conditions. For instance, India’s Jasprit Bumrah remains under scrutiny due to a lingering back injury, with his participation hinging on assessments in New Zealand . Similarly, Australia’s pace attack faces upheaval with skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out, forcing reliance on backups like Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott .
Key Series and Fixtures
Team-Specific Preparations
Australia’s Pace Bowling Crisis
With Cummins and Hazlewood injured, Mitchell Starc shoulders the attack, supported by Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott. Ellis, though inexperienced, impressed in the BBL, while Abbott offers all-round depth .
India’s Fragile Pace Attack
Bumrah’s potential absence shifts focus to Mohammed Shami’s comeback and uncapped Harshit Rana. Arshdeep Singh, with only eight ODIs, adds uncertainty .
England’s Spin Challenge
Joe Root, averaging 61.6 against spin, anchors England’s middle order. Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone’s struggles against slow bowlers remain a concern .
Venue Readiness and Hybrid Model
Pakistan’s Stadium Upgrades
Karachi’s National Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium underwent renovations costing 12.8 billion PKR, enhancing capacity and pitch quality .
Dubai as India’s Neutral Hub
The Dubai International Stadium hosts all India matches, including the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 23. This hybrid model, negotiated by the ICC and PCB, sidesteps political tensions between India and Pakistan .
Players to Watch
Emerging Talents
- Harshit Rana (India): Uncapped but touted as Bumrah’s replacement .
- Kwena Maphaka (South Africa): A pace prospect in SA’s transitional lineup .
Comeback Stories
- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan): Returns after a 2023 World Cup hiatus to bolster Pakistan’s shaky opening .
- Joe Root (England): Reinstated to counter spin vulnerabilities .
Historical Context & Rivalries
India vs Pakistan in Dubai (Feb 23)
Pakistan holds a 3-2 edge over India in Champions Trophy history, but Dubai’s neutral setting adds unpredictability .
Australia vs England in Lahore
A modern Ashes rivalry reignites on February 22, with England seeking redemption after recent ODI struggles .
For fixtures, squad updates, and live scores, visit ICC’s official page.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
