Deadline approaches for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preliminary squads

International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy seen at a ground in this undated image. — AFP/file

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Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are in full swing as the January 12 deadline for submitting preliminary squads approaches.

Teams can make squad changes without ICC approval until February 11, after which modifications require ICC Technical Committee consent. England has already announced its final squad, adding to the excitement.

The Champions Trophy, featuring eight teams, begins on February 19 in Karachi and runs until March 9. With 15 matches scheduled, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi will host 10 games, while Dubai stages four key fixtures, including all three of India’s group-stage matches and the first semi-final.

Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.

Pakistan will open the tournament against New Zealand, with the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash set for February 23 in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalised plans for the Champions Trophy and the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies.

The squads, pending PCB chairman approval, will be announced by Saturday evening. The Champions Trophy squad will also play in a tri-nation ODI series starting February 8.

For the Tests scheduled on January 17 and 25 in Multan, selectors plan to rest senior players, giving opportunities to emerging talent like Azan Awais, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s top scorer, and bowlers Niaz Khan and Musa Khan.

The Tests align with Pakistan’s strategy to build a competitive team for the ICC Test Championship 2025-26.

A three-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and West Indies in Islamabad from January 10-12 will further help selectors evaluate young talent.

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