ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 - Digest

March 4

Linde joins SA Champions Trophy Squad

South African all-rounder George Linde has been added to the Champions Trophy squad as a travelling reserve, Cricket South Africa announced in a media release on Tuesday (March 4).

Linde played his last ODI game against Sri Lanka back in September 2021 but had a terrific SA20 with champions MI Cape Town. He scored 161 runs in 11 matches at a strike-rate of 153.33 and chipped in with 11 wickets as well.

"George Linde has been added to South Africa's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad as a travelling reserve. He will join the squad in Lahore this evening", CSA said.

South Africa will play their semifinal against New Zealand in Lahore on March 5.

March 3

Cooper Connolly named as Short's replacement

Cooper Connolly has been named as a replacement for Matthew Short in Australia's squad for the ongoing Champions Trophy. The 21-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder, who has featured in three ODIs, was named as a replacement after Short was ruled out due to an injury to his left quadriceps.

Connolly hasn't made much of an impression as yet in international cricket with either bat or ball. Australia, who are set to play India in the semifinals in Dubai, qualified from Group B and could potentially have two more games to play in the tournament.

February 20

Pakistan fined for slow overrate in tournament opener

Pakistan have been fined five percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow overrate in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand in Karachi. The hosts, who lost the game by 60 runs, were deemed to be one over short of target after time allowances were taken into account.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan accepted the charge and pleaded guilty to the offence. Therefore there was no need for a formal hearing.

February 12

Starc withdraws; Smith to lead Australia

Australia, led by Steve Smith, will be without key pacers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, with Starc withdrawing due to undisclosed personal reasons. With Marcus Stoinis retired and Mitchell Marsh injured, Australia have made five changes, bringing in Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, and Sean Abbott, while Cooper Connolly joins as the travelling reserve. Chief selector George Bailey acknowledged Starc's commitment to international cricket and emphasized the squad's depth despite the setbacks. Australia begin their campaign against England in Lahore on February 22 after playing two ODIs in Sri Lanka.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. [Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly]

February 9

Bosch to replace Nortje in South Africa's Champions Trophy squad

South Africa have named pace-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch as Anrich Nortje's replacement. Fresh off a strong SA20 campaign, Bosch joins his brother Eathan in Pakistan for the ongoing tri-series. Teenage pacer Kwena Maphaka has been included as a travelling reserve for the marquee event. Bosch, Maphaka, and opener Tony de Zorzi will link up with the squad in Pakistan and could feature in the tri-series against New Zealand. Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Yasir Arafat has been appointed as South Africa's consultant until the tournament.

February 6

Cummins, Hazlewood ruled out of Champions Trophy

Australia face a personnel crisis ahead of the Champions Trophy, with skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out due to injuries. The squad is further depleted by Marcus Stoinis' ODI retirement and Mitchell Marsh's withdrawal due to a back injury, forcing four changes to the reigning World Cup champions' lineup.

February 5

Cummins unlikely for Champions Trophy; Australia face captaincy dilemma

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Pat Cummins is "hugely unlikely" to recover in time for the ICC Champions Trophy, while Josh Hazlewood's fitness also remains uncertain. Cummins, the designated captain, has not resumed bowling due to an ankle issue, forcing Australia to consider both a fast-bowling replacement and a new skipper. With Mitchell Marsh already ruled out, Steve Smith and Travis Head are the frontrunners for captaincy, with a final decision expected in the coming days.

January 31

Fakhar Zaman back in mix for Pakistan for CT

Pakistan have recalled opener Fakhar Zaman for their Champions Trophy title defence at home. Only three players from Pakistan's 2017 title winning campaign have made it to the squad now including Zaman who hammered a memorable century in the final against India.

Shakeel, who last played an ODI in the 2023 World Cup has been rewarded for his consistent performances in home Tests. Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah have also earned recalls after they delivered with both and ball in domestic competitions recently. Muhammad Irfan Khan and Sufyan Moqim have made way for the duo from Pakistan's last ODI assignment in South Africa.

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

Marsh ruled out of Champions Trophy

Australia will miss the services of Mitchell Marsh at the Champions Trophy 2025 with a back injury ruling the hard-hitting all-rounder out of the eight-team marquee tournament.

Marsh, who has endured a protracted battle with many injuries over his career, complained of back trouble during the recent home Tests against India. He was managed through that series with reduced bowling loads but eventually lost his place to Beau Webster for the final game of the series in Sydney.

It is learnt that Marsh experienced a deterioration of symptoms during the course of his rehabilitation programme, forcing the Naional Selection Panel (NSP) into pulling him out of the Champions Trophy squad. "The National Selection Panel and Australian men's medical team ruled Marsh out of the tournament with the injury which has not responded sufficiently to rehabilitation," a CA release stated.

January 30

No opening ceremony for CT; Rohit need not go to Pakistan

The ICC and PCB have scrapped plans for an opening ceremony and captains' photo-op ahead of the tournament, meaning India's Rohit Sharma won't need to travel to Pakistan. This puts to rest speculation about him crossing the border. Organizers cited logistical challenges, as teams will arrive in Pakistan on different dates. While no official gathering of captains will take place, the PCB will hold local pre-event ceremonies in Lahore and Karachi.

January 22

India's jersey to feature ICC-approved tournament logo

The BCCI has clarified that the Indian team will follow ICC guidelines for the tournament, confirming that their jersey will feature the official ICC logo, which includes Pakistan's name. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed controversy over the matter, stating, "We will follow the ICC directive." The decision aligns with past ICC events where host nations' names appeared on tournament logos.

January 18

Bumrah, Shami picked in India's CT squad

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya have all made it to India's squad for the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Shubman Gill will serve as Rohit Sharma's deputy and the team has a notable inclusion in Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is yet to make his ODI debut.

Bumrah's selection is conditional to him recovering fully from the back spasms he suffered at the fag end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

But for the marquee tournament, Bumrah will be expected to lead the line with Shami who has been out of international action since the last ODI World Cup. Arshdeep Singh completes the three-man pace attack with Mohammed Siraj left out. Alongside Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar comprise the other all-rounders in the squad. The 'keepers comprise of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

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

January 13

Nortje, Ngidi return to SA squad

Fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi have been named in South Africa's 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy. The two pacers have been drafted into the squad despite being out of action due to long injury layoffs. In addition to the two pacers, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj return to the ODI set-up after having missed the previous ODI series against Pakistan.

Nortje has not played for South Africa since the Men's World T20 final last June, due to a fractured toe, and has recovered in time for the tournament. Ngidi, on the other hand, was ruled out of South Africa's home summer due to a groin injury back in November which kept him on the sidelines.

All-rounders Andile Phehlukwayo, Corbin Bosch and left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin have missed out on selection. Gerald Coetzee does not seem to have recovered from a groin injury which he suffered in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Squad:Temba Bavuma (C), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen.

Cummins, Hazlewood named in preliminary Australian squad

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been named in their 15-man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy next month despite the duo being rested of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Cummins, currently on paternity leave, is due to undergo scans to assess the ankle issue that he carried throughout the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar series that Australia won 3-1. Hazlewood, meanwhile, is yet to recover from the calf injury that prematurely ended his participation in the five-match Test series at home against India.

Nathan Ellis, alongside Mitchell Starc, round up the pace attack while Adam Zampa is the only frontline spinner picked. Allrounders Aaron Hardie and Matthew Short have also been named in the squad while Alex Carey has retained his spot.

Squad: Pat Cummins (C), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

January 12

Ibrahim Zadran recalled for Afghanistan's CT squad

Right-handed batter Ibrahim Zadran, who had been out of international action since June 2024 with an ankle injury, returns to the Afghanistan squad. Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to captain the ODI side, with Rahmat Shah as his deputy.

AM Ghazanfar has been preferred over Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who wasn't considered for selection in the 50-over format upon advice from his doctor. It will be the mystery spinner's first involvement as part of the senior Afghanistan men's squad for the first time in an ICC event.

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

Bangladesh drop Litton, Najmul returns to lead team

Litton Das has been left out of the Champions Trophy squad for Bangladesh due to poor form heading into the competition. The quartet of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy and Mustafizur Rahman return to the squad after recovering from injuries.

Najmul will lead the side in the tournament after Mehidy Hasan Miraz stepped in for him in the previous bilateral series. The former has recovered from a groin injury which he suffered back in November. In addition to Litton missing out, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud and Afif Hossain failed to make the cut. Speculation surrounding Shakib al Hasan's inclusion too was put to rest after the all-rounder failed a bowling test in Chennai

Squad: Najmul Hossain (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

January 11

Santner to lead NZ in Champions Trophy

Having successfully led New Zealand in Sri Lanka, Mitchell Santner will skipper his troops during the Champions Trophy in February. In the squad, New Zealand have called upon young pacers Ben Sears and William O'Rourke and ODI uncapped all-rounder Nathan Smith.

They have the experience in their attack with Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson while their batting department comprises the likes of Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Devon Conway in the squad.

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

December 22

Root returns to England set-up, Stokes fails to make cut

Joe Root has returned to the England ODI fold for the first time post the 2023 World Cup as he was named in the 15-man squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Ben Stokes, the Test captain, might have also been in line for a recall to the 50-over squad but the ECB confirmed that he wasn't picked as a result of a hamstring injury he sustained recently during the final Test against New Zealand.

Mark Wood and Jofra Archer lead a strong pace attack that also has the likes of Saqib Mahmood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton. Jacob Bethell's rise over the last few months has seen him get picked for his first ICC tournament whereas Jamie Smith has made the cut too with Will Jacks getting overlooked.

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