Rohit & Gambhir Reject Warm-ups as India Follows England, Australia
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India has joined England and Australia in opting out of practice matches ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, as confirmed by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen not to engage in practice games, given that India has recently completed a three-match ODI series against England, which concluded on Wednesday. The Indian team is set to arrive in Dubai on February 15, where they will conduct all their matches.
India's decision to forgo warm-up matches prior to a significant bilateral series is not unprecedented; however, this marks the first occasion in recent history that they will participate in an ICC tournament without any preparatory games. In the previous T20 World Cup, despite a packed schedule, they managed to play a practice match against Bangladesh, which they won.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team will enter the tournament as one of the leading contenders, having recently triumphed over England with a 3-0 victory in the ODI series that wrapped up on February 12. In addition to possessing a formidable squad, India will benefit from the advantage of playing all their matches at the same venue—the Dubai International Stadium.
Their campaign will commence against Bangladesh on February 12, followed by significant encounters against Pakistan and New Zealand on March 2.
Pakistan pick A team for warm-up games
The upcoming practice matches will involve Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, who are set to engage in warm-up games prior to the tournament commencing on February 19.
Pakistan, the tournament's original host, is scheduled to participate in three warm-up matches. Afghanistan is the only other team slated to play more than one warm-up game. However, Pakistan will not include their primary players in these matches.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an 'A' team, known as Pakistan Shaheens, which will compete in the three matches against Afghanistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh.
India will not partake in any practice matches leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy, while Pakistan has revealed three Shaheens squads that will participate in warm-up games against Bangladesh, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
These warm-up matches are scheduled to occur from February 14 to 17, just before the main tournament, which is set to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and Dubai.
Afghanistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh will compete in the warm-up games on February 14 and 17, respectively. Additionally, Afghanistan will face New Zealand in a warm-up match on February 16.
These matches will serve as the final preparations for the teams ahead of the Champions Trophy.
South Africa and New Zealand are already in Pakistan, participating in a tri-series alongside the host nation.
Shadab Khan will captain the Shaheens against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 14, while two Shaheens teams will compete in Karachi and Dubai on February 17. Mohammad Hurraira will lead the team against South Africa in Karachi, and Mohammad Haris will captain the squad facing Bangladesh in Dubai.
The warm-up match between New Zealand and Afghanistan on February 16 will take place in Karachi.
Champions Trophy warm-up matches schedule:
February 14 – Pakistan Shaheens will face Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
February 16 – New Zealand will compete against Afghanistan at the National Stadium in Karachi.
February 17 – Pakistan Shaheens will play South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi.
February 17 – Pakistan Shaheens will also take on Bangladesh at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai.
All matches are scheduled as day-night events.
Squad for Shaheens against Afghanistan in Lahore: Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Arafat Minhas, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Kashif Ali, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir Khan, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, and Muhammad Irfan Khan.
Squad for Shaheens against South Africa in Karachi: Mohammad Huraira (captain), Amad Butt, Faisal Akram, Hassan Nawaz, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, and Saad Khan.
Squad for Shaheens against Bangladesh in Dubai: Mohammad Haris (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Azan Awais, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Moqim, and Usama Mir.
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