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The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is one of the most anticipated cricket tournaments in recent years. After an eight-year hiatus, the tournament is back, bringing together eight of the world’s top teams in Pakistan, starting on February 19, 2025. As the host nation and the defending champions, Pakistan will aim to retain their title against fierce competition.
This article explores the confirmed squads for each participating nation, providing detailed insights into the players, their strengths, and their potential impact on the tournament.
Tournament Format and Groups
The tournament will feature two groups of four teams each:
Group A:
- Pakistan
- India
- Bangladesh
- New Zealand
Group B:
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
- Afghanistan
Each team will play three group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in a grand finale.
Group A Squads
Pakistan Squad
Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
Vice-Captain: Salman Ali Agha
- Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir
- All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha
- Wicketkeeper-batters: Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan
- Spinner: Abrar Ahmed
- Fast Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Key Players
- Babar Azam: A world-class batter known for his elegant stroke play and consistency.
- Mohammad Rizwan: A dependable wicketkeeper-batter and captain, famous for his aggressive yet composed gameplay.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: A lethal fast bowler who can swing the ball and take crucial wickets.
- Haris Rauf: A pace sensation who can dominate in the death overs with his express speed.
- Salman Ali Agha: A versatile all-rounder who adds balance to the team with both bat and ball.
India Squad
Captain: Rohit Sharma
- Batters: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
- Wicketkeeper-batter: Rishabh Pant
- Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav
- Fast Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
Key Players
- Virat Kohli: One of the best batters in modern cricket, known for his consistency and match-winning abilities.
- Rohit Sharma: An explosive opener and captain, capable of playing big innings under pressure.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace spearhead, known for his deadly yorkers and ability to deliver in crucial moments.
- Hardik Pandya: A dynamic all-rounder who can turn the game with both bat and ball.
- Rishabh Pant: An aggressive wicketkeeper-batter who can accelerate the innings and provide stability in the middle order.
Bangladesh Squad
Captain: Nazmul Hossain Shanto
- Batters: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik
- All-rounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain
- Fast Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
- Spinners: Nasum Ahmed
- Wicketkeeper-batter: Parvez Hossain Emon
Key Players
- Mushfiqur Rahim: Experienced and composed, a crucial middle-order stabilizer.
- Taskin Ahmed: A speedster capable of troubling batters with his pace and swing.
New Zealand Squad
Captain: Mitchell Santner
- Batters: Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Tom Latham
- All-rounders: Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith
- Wicketkeeper-batter: Tom Latham
- Spinners: Mitchell Santner
- Fast Bowlers: Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears
Key Players
- Kane Williamson: A consistent performer and strategic leader, known for anchoring the innings.
- Lockie Ferguson: A lethal fast bowler with express pace and the ability to take crucial wickets.
- Devon Conway: A technically sound batter who can provide stability at the top order.
- Mitchell Santner: An experienced all-rounder and captain, effective with both bat and ball.
- Daryl Mitchell: A versatile player who can change the game with his all-round skills.
Group B Squads
Afghanistan Squad
Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
- Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah
- All-rounders: Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi
- Wicketkeeper-batter: Ikram Alikhil
- Spinners: Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad
- Fast Bowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran
Reserves:
Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami
Key Players
- Rashid Khan: A world-class leg-spinner and a match-winner with both ball and bat.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: An explosive opener capable of dominating the powerplay.
- Mohammad Nabi: An experienced all-rounder providing balance with his batting and off-spin.
- Ibrahim Zadran: A dependable top-order batter known for his consistency.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: A left-arm pacer who can swing the ball and take early wickets.
England Squad
Captain: Jos Buttler
- Batters: Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Phil Salt
- All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell
- Wicketkeeper-batter: Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith
- Spinners: Adil Rashid
- Fast Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Saqib Mahmood, Mark Wood
Key Players
- Jos Buttler: A destructive batter and a sharp tactician, leading the team with aggressive intent.
- Mark Wood: A fast bowler with raw pace, crucial for bowling in the death overs.
- Joe Root: A dependable middle-order batter known for anchoring the innings.
- Jofra Archer: A lethal pacer with the ability to strike early and control the game.
- Liam Livingstone: A power-hitter and a useful spinner, providing versatility to the team.
Australia Squad
Captain: Pat Cummins
- Batters: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head
- All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Matt Short
- Wicketkeeper-batters: Alex Carey, Josh Inglis
- Spinners: Adam Zampa
- Fast Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis
Key Players
- Pat Cummins: A world-class fast bowler and an inspiring leader, known for his game-changing spells.
- Glenn Maxwell: A dynamic all-rounder who can turn the game with his explosive batting and effective off-spin.
- Steve Smith: A technically sound batter, capable of anchoring the innings under pressure.
- Mitchell Starc: A lethal left-arm pacer known for his deadly yorkers and ability to strike early.
- Adam Zampa: A skilled leg-spinner who can control the middle overs with his variations.
South Africa Squad
Captain: Temba Bavuma
- Batters: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton
- All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder
- Wicketkeeper-batter: Heinrich Klaasen
- Spinners: Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi
- Fast Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
Key Players
- Kagiso Rabada: A world-class strike bowler known for his pace and ability to deliver under pressure.
- David Miller: A seasoned finisher who thrives in high-stakes matches with his aggressive batting.
- Aiden Markram: A stylish batter and a dependable middle-order player.
- Heinrich Klaasen: A hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batter capable of accelerating the innings.
- Anrich Nortje: A fiery fast bowler with express pace, crucial for South Africa’s bowling attack.
FAQs
- What is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule?
The tournament begins on February 19, 2025, and concludes on March 9, 2025. - Where are the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 being held?
Pakistan is hosting the tournament. - Who are the defending champions?
Having won the previous edition in 2017, Pakistan is the defending champions. - How many teams are participating?
Eight teams are participating. - Who is leading the England squad?
Jos Buttler is the captain of England. - What are the groups for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Group A: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand; Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. - Which team is considered the favourite?
All teams have strong squads, but Pakistan and India are considered top contenders. - When is the final match?
The final is scheduled for March 9, 2025. - Who are the notable players to watch?
Players like Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, and Rashid Khan are key players to watch. - How can fans watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Fans can watch the matches live on official ICC broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises thrilling cricket action with world-class players and intense rivalries. With squads boasting immense talent and experience, the tournament is set to be a spectacle. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the event!
