Preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are well underway as the deadline for submitting preliminary squads approaches on January 12.
Teams have until February 11 to make changes to their squads without needing approval from the ICC, after which any modifications will require consent from the ICC Technical Committee. England has already revealed its final squad, adding to the growing anticipation for the tournament.
The Champions Trophy, featuring eight participating teams, will kick off on February 19 in Karachi and run until March 9. A total of 15 matches will be played across the tournament. Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi will host 10 of these matches, while Dubai will stage four important fixtures, including all of India’s group-stage games and the first semi-final.
The groups have been announced, with Group A consisting of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
Pakistan’s tournament campaign will begin with a match against New Zealand, and the much-awaited Pakistan-India clash is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
In parallel, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed plans for both the Champions Trophy and a two-match Test series against the West Indies. The squad announcements, pending approval from the PCB chairman, are expected by Saturday evening. The Champions Trophy squad will also participate in a tri-nation ODI series set to start on February 8.
For the Test matches, scheduled for January 17 and 25 in Multan, the selectors plan to rest key players to give emerging talents like Azan Awais, the top scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and fast bowlers Niaz Khan and Musa Khan a chance to shine.
The Tests are part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to strengthen their team ahead of the ICC Test Championship for the 2025-26 cycle.
Additionally, a three-day warm-up match between Pakistan Shaheens and the West Indies will take place in Islamabad from January 10 to 12, giving selectors a final opportunity to assess the form of young players.
