 "Pakistan players during their tri-series game against New Zealand. Image: AP")
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to kick off on 19 February, with teams gearing up for the highly anticipated tournament. The ICC on Wednesday unveiled the schedule for the warm-up matches leading up to the Champions Trophy. The warm-up fixtures will be played from 14 to 17 February and will feature five teams - Pakistan Shaheens, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and South Africa.
However, some of the top teams, including India, Australia, and England, have opted out of playing warm-up matches. While participating in these fixtures is optional, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided against it, given that India have already prepared through a bilateral ODI series against England. Similarly, Australia have completed their preparations with series against Sri Lanka.
How to watch Champions Trophy warm-up matches in India
The official broadcast partner for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in India is the Star Sports Network. However, it remains unclear whether the warm-up matches will be telecast. The main tournament will be broadcast live on Star Sports TV channels, with live streaming available on JioHotstar.
Champions Trophy 2025: Warm-up schedule
All warm-up matches will be day-night fixtures, beginning at 2:00 PM local time (2:30 PM IST). The fixtures are as follows:
14 February – Pakistan Shaheens vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
16 February – New Zealand vs Afghanistan, National Stadium, Karachi
17 February – Pakistan Shaheens vs South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi
17 February – Pakistan Shaheens vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai
Champions Trophy 2025: Squads for warm-up matches
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named three different squads for these warm-up fixtures, different from their main squad for the Champions Trophy. The squads of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and New Zealand are as follows:
Afghanistan’s 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.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBangladesh’s 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’s 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’s 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.