Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are in full swing as the January 12 deadline for submitting preliminary squads approaches. Teams can freely adjust their squads until February 11, after which any changes will require approval from the ICC Technical Committee.
England has already finalized its squad, heightening anticipation for the tournament.
Tournament Schedule and Venues
The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams, running from February 19 to March 9. Matches will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai. Of the 15 games scheduled:
- Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi will host ten matches.
- Dubai will stage four high-profile games, including all three of India’s group-stage matches and the first semi-final.
Groups and Key Fixtures
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh.
- Group B: Afghanistan, South Africa, England, Australia.
The tournament opener will see Pakistan face New Zealand on February 19, while the much-awaited Pakistan-India clash is set for February 23 in Dubai.
Pakistan’s Preparations
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is finalizing squads for both the Champions Trophy and the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies.
- Test Series: Scheduled for January 17 and 25 in Multan. Senior players will be rested to give emerging talents, like Azan Awais (top scorer of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy) and bowlers Niaz Khan and Musa Khan, an opportunity. The Tests are part of Pakistan’s strategy to build a competitive team for the ICC Test Championship 2025-26.
- Tri-Nation ODI Series: Ahead of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s squad will also participate in a tri-nation series beginning February 8.
Additionally, a three-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and West Indies in Islamabad, from January 10-12, will provide selectors with further insights into young talent.
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