Preparatory ODI Series Played by the Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
The most awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to commence next. The teams will see 8 teams featuring to prove their supremacy and establish their stamp on world cricket. The qualification depended on the ODI World Cup held in 2023 which saw 7 teams qualify for it. The teams are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India. Since Pakistan is the host, they have automatically qualified for it. The teams will be looking forward to the tournament and play some magnificent matches.
All the teams have planned accordingly and will be playing some ODIs before the tournament. The teams would love to get some games before the tournament starts and have their players in form. All the teams will be working on their strengths and weaknesses. Although there are not many matches scheduled, the professionals would love any number of games to get themselves started.
Teams Participating
Team News Participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Pakistan
The host nation as well as the defending champions of this tournament, Pakistan, has scheduled the most number of games amongst all the teams. After their terrible run in the World Cup 2023, Pakistan does not want to take things lightly for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. PCB will look to their players and management to get enough game time in ODIs to get them match-ready. The host would love to take the benefit of home advantage and win the tournament without much struggle. They are scheduled to play 11 matches before the tournament against various teams including a Tri-series.
England
England will also play 11 matches. England also had a very disappointing World Cup 2023 and not only failed to defend the trophy but was also knocked out early in the tournament. They would love to finalize their team in these 11 matches and go ahead with them for the tournament. The English team had the potential to win the tournament. The fireworks in the batting and the comeback of Archer strengthened their chances of winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
South Africa
The runners-up of T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa would be looking forward to getting their hands on the trophy. The team consists of really good players who can put pressure on the opposition. Proteas will also be playing 11 games that will give a clear picture of their squad and how they will proceed with their planning.
The bowling unit of Rabada, Nortje, and Jansen will be an advantage for the South African team. The batting department will also feature Klaasen, Miller, and many others who will be looking for ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final loss redemption in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Australia
Recent ODI World Cup 2023 champions, Australia, would be looking forward to adding one more trophy to their cabinet. Aussies have a bit of concern in their top-order but they play terrific cricket in any match under any circumstances. The 8-match practice will be enough for Australia to fancy their chances in the Champions Trophy 2025 season.
The captaincy of Pat Cummins is an added advantage as he reads the game well and gives freedom to the players to express themselves. And, the early exit in the T20 World Cup 2024 will be on their mind, and will look to dominate the ODI format again in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
New Zealand
Always seen as an underdog, New Zealand is the kind of team that plays outstanding cricket throughout the tournament and most of the time makes it to the knockout stage, but is not able to cross the final hurdle.
The team features some big names such as Williamson, Daryl, and Southee who may be probably playing their last ICC whiteball tournament. The team would love to give these legends a memorable farewell for the services they have done for their country. The Kiwis will be playing 5 matches before the tournament. These 5 matches would be enough for the Kiwis to get going for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India
The tournament favorites India would love to repeat the 2013 winning moments. India would look forward to carrying the winning momentum with them and replicating the same result as they did in the T20 World Cup 2024. The aggressive approach of Gautam Gambhir combined with the calmness of Rohit Sharma may prove fruitful to Team India.
The Indian team will be playing 6 matches which may not be adequate but they are already sorted in ODIs only a couple of changes could be seen in these games. However, with the momentum in favor of India, it won’t be an uphill task for the players to be match-ready for the upcoming challenge of Champions Trophy 2025.
Afghanistan
An underdog in the true sense but fearless on the field, the Afghanistan team will be a threat to the teams participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Their performances in the World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup have put them on the map. Their bowling department can turn the matches on any given day. The top and middle order have some good players who have the experience of playing in leagues worldwide. The Afghanistan players would be playing 3 matches before the tournament and try to maximize the opportunity they get.
Bangladesh
The ‘Bangla Tigers’ will be looking forward to creating an impact in the tournament. The team will be playing only 3 matches before the tournament. The team always looks decent on paper but underperforms every time. They would love to turn things around this time with some of the youngsters they have in the team. The youngsters would be looking forward to experiencing the environment of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and sinking into the moment.
To summarize, the teams won’t let go of any chance to create an impact in the tournament and win the trophy to bring glory to the nation.
List of All Preparatory ODI Series before ICC Champions Trophy 2025
| Team | Number of Matches | Opponent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 11 | 3 vs Australia, 3 vs Zimbabwe, 3 vs South Africa, 2 in the ODI Tri-Series |
| England | 11 | 5 vs England, 3 vs West Indies, 3 vs India |
| South Africa | 11 | 3 vs Afghanistan, 3 vs Ireland, 3 vs Pakistan, and 2 in the ODI Tri-Series |
| Australia | 8 | 5 vs England, 3 vs Pakistan |
| India | 6 | 3 vs Sri Lanka, 3 vs England |
| New Zealand | 5 | 3 vs Sri Lanka, 2 in the ODI Tri-Series |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 3 vs South Africa |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 3 vs West Indies |
