Champions Trophy 2025-Full List of Squads and Preview of the Tournament

The ICC Champions Trophy is making its highly anticipated return in 2025, bringing together the top eight cricketing nations for a thrilling battle on the international stage. After an eight-year hiatus, the tournament will be hosted by Pakistan, with matches set to begin on February 19. As the defending champions and hosts, Pakistan will look to maintain their dominance in one of cricket’s most prestigious events.

Tournament Format and Group Stage Dynamics

The 2025 Champions Trophy will have eight teams, divided into two competitive groups. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with each team playing three matches in the group stage. The format guarantees a high-intensity match from the very beginning and promises even greater drama in the knockout rounds.

Group A-Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand

The clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is widely expected to happen in this group. Bangladesh and New Zealand make up the exciting mix of well-experienced teams and rising cricketing forces of this group.

Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

Group B is as competitive, with teams boasting a strong bowling attack and vibrant batting lineups. England, Australia, and South Africa have always been world giants in global tournaments, and Afghanistan, which has been unpredictable and fearless, is a team to watch out for.

Confirmed Squads for Champions Trophy 2025

Each of the teams has declared a very strong side consisting of a blend of established stars and young prospects. Let's take a look at the teams.

Group A Teams

India:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

Bangladesh:

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

New Zealand:

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.

Pakistan:

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Squad of the Team B.

Afghanistan

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.

Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami

England

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

Australia

Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa. (One player yet to be announced.)

South Africa:

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.

Key Matches to Watch Out For

A schedule completely packed with blockbuster encounters, cricket fans are sure to witness some of the most intense and high-voltage matches ever played.

Pakistan vs India (Group Stage): One of the fiercest rivalries in cricket, this match is expected to be the highlight of the group stage and millions are sure to watch it.

Australia vs England: The Ashes rivalry will find its way in the Champions Trophy, with a match between these two teams where the best brains are on parade.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh: This is always going to be a battle of resilience and more of tactical acumen. Whoever wins this has all the right to dream a little about semis.

South Africa vs Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket makes this an intriguing contest. Their powerful spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, could challenge South Africa’s experienced batting lineup.

Conclusion

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a cricketing spectacle, with Pakistan setting the stage for a historic tournament. The confirmed squads highlight a balance of experience and youth across all teams, ensuring competitive matches throughout. With tough rivalries, talented team players, and stakes at sky-high levels, this Champions Trophy 2025 promises to witness the most suspenseful event after quite some years. As all this unfolds over the tournament games, cricket spectators worldwide will view the team's ultimate claim towards this prestigious trophy.