The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off in Karachi on February 19. Australia will be led by Steve Smith in the absence of key pacers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Starc withdrew due to undisclosed personal reasons, leading to five changes in the squad. South Africa named Corbin Bosch as Anrich Nortje’s replacement, with the team also including teenage pacer Kwena Maphaka. Australia faces a personnel crisis with Cummins and Hazlewood ruled out due to injuries. Pakistan has recalled Fakhar Zaman for their title defense, while Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the tournament with a back injury. The tournament will not have an opening ceremony, and Rohit Sharma will not need to travel to Pakistan. The PCB will not hold an official gathering of captains, but will conduct local pre-event ceremonies in Lahore and Karachi. The BCCI has confirmed that India’s jersey for the tournament will feature the official ICC logo, including Pakistan’s name. India’s Champions Trophy squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik Pandya, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. South Africa’s squad includes Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are named in Australia’s preliminary squad despite being rested for an upcoming tour. Afghanistan’s squad sees the return of Ibrahim Zadran, while Bangladesh drops Litton Das from their squad for poor form. Najmul Hossain will lead the Bangladesh side in an upcoming tournament after recovering from a groin injury. Litton Das, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, and Afif Hossain did not make the squad. Speculation about Shakib al Hasan’s inclusion ended when he failed a bowling test in Chennai. The squad includes players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Mustafizur Rahman. In another update, Mitchell Santner will captain New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, with players like Kane Williamson and Matt Henry in the squad. Joe Root has returned to the England ODI team, but Ben Stokes misses out due to a hamstring injury. Mark Wood and Jofra Archer lead the pace attack for England. The squads for both teams have been finalized for the upcoming tournament.
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