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India will reportedly not be playing any warm-up games ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. The hosts, Pakistan on the other hand will be playing three warm-up games.
India to not play warm-up games. Pakistan to play three practice matches. (Picture Credit: AFP)
India will reportedly not be playing any practice games ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. This is a stark contrast in comparison to what their arch-rivals Pakistan have opted as they are set to play three A squads that will be featuring in the warm-up games against Bangladesh, South Africa and Afghanistan respectively.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the Board of Control for Cricket in India have decided against playing warm-up games since they just got done with the three-match ODI series against England.
The report also claims that the Indian team are set to arrive in Dubai on February 15.
The warm-up games are set to be played from February 14 to 17, leading up to the tournament itself. All of India’s games including the knockouts, should the Men in Blue secure qualification, will be played in Dubai with the Indian government not approving the travel to Pakistan.
Afghanistan, South Africa and Bangladesh will feature in these three warm-up games on February 14 and 17 respectively. Afghanistan will also play a warm-up game against New Zealand on February 16.
It should also be noted that both New Zealand and South Africa are already in Pakistan for the ongoing tri-series along with the Men in Green.
All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead the Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan A) team against Afghanistan which will be held in Lahore in February 14 while two teams will be taking part in their respective games Karachi and Dubai on February 17.
Mohammad Hurraira will lead the Shaheens against South Africa in Karachi, while Mohammad Haris will be the captain against Bangladesh in Dubai.
The New Zealand-Afghanistan warm-up match on February 16 will be played in Karachi.
Schedule of warm-up matches:
- February 14 – Pakistan Shaheens vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
- February 16 – New Zealand vs Afghanistan, National Stadium, Karachi.
- February 17 – Pakistan Shaheens vs South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi.
- February 17 – Pakistan Shaheens vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai.
All the games will be day-night fixtures.
Shaheens squad vs 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.
Shaheens squad vs 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.
Shaheens squad vs 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.
(with PTI Inputs)
