The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off on February 19, with host nation Pakistan set to face New Zealand at the National Stadium Karachi, marking the beginning of what promises to be another thrilling cricketing spectacle.
All teams have now finalized their squads by the February 11 deadline, and the line-ups reflect both strategic decisions and unfortunate injuries. The tournament features eight teams split across two groups, with Group A consisting of India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, and Group B comprising Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
India will enter the tournament under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, boasting big names such as Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. The finalized squad includes key players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Kuldeep Yadav. Unfortunately, India will be missing pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out due to injuries. Varun Chakaravarthy has been announced as his replacement, taking over following Yashasvi Jaiswal's drop from the squad due to form concerns.
Pakistan, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, also announced their squad, which includes prominent names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Fakhar Zaman. Missing from the line-up will be opener Saim Ayub, as he is set to miss the competition due to an ankle injury.
New Zealand has retained captain Mitchell Santner with the squad featuring experienced players like Kane Williamson and Devon Conway. They set to rely on their balance of youth and experience as they chase their first title. Their participation will be bolstered by strong bowling options such as Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee.
Bangladesh looks to make its mark with the talented Nazmul Hossain Shanto leading the squad, which includes experienced campaigners like Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed, aiming for upsets against their more established cricketing counterparts.
Group B sees Australia struggling with significant injuries, losing five players from the initial squad. Steve Smith will lead the team, which now features summer's standout performance with Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell playing pivotal roles. The recent withdrawals, including star player Mitchell Starc, who opted out due to personal reasons, have severely challenged Australia's title defense.
England, who has named Jos Buttler as captain, must navigate their challenges with Jacob Bethell out due to hamstring issues. They've turned to Tom Banton to fill the void, rewarding him with this opportunity after stellar performances during the International League T20. The squad now seeks strong performances from their bowlers, with Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid being central figures.
South Africa will also be hoping to create waves under the leadership of Temba Bavuma; the squad remains promising with talents including Kagiso Rabada and Rassie van der Dussen. Their strategy will focus on exploiting opponents' weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi leads his team with optimism, featuring world-class players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who are expected to perform at the highest level and secure surprising victories against tougher opponents.
The inclusion of several players has raised excitement, especially with Afghanistan highlighting their competitive nature. The teams have embarked on rigorous preparation and remain focused on leveraging strategies to maximize their chances of success.
With less than two weeks to go, teams are expected to ramp up preparations as they eye the Champions Trophy. The tournament's first match between Pakistan and New Zealand not only opens the event but sets the tone for what is expected to be several weeks of thrilling cricket.
Final squad confirmations and injury updates are streaming as teams brace for the starting gun. Key players across all teams will aim to leave their mark and etch their names alongside cricket's elite.