ICC Champions Trophy to Begin in Pakistan Amid Concerns Over Warm-Up Matches

Karachi: The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin in Pakistan on February 19, but the chances of teams playing warm-up matches in Pakistan before the tournament appear slim. This is due to the fact that nearly all participating teams are already committed to other scheduled events.

According to media reports, Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa will play a tri-nation series ahead of the Champions Trophy, while India and Bangladesh will be busy with a bilateral series in Dubai. As a result, these teams will have no time for warm-up games before the tournament.

Additionally, major teams like England, Australia, and Sri Lanka also do not have any warm-up matches scheduled so far. This raises concerns, as the teams may not be fully prepared for Pakistan’s conditions, particularly the pitches, which they usually prioritize in their strategic planning.

Normally, teams like Australia and England place great emphasis on understanding the local conditions and pitch behavior to prepare their strategies. With few warm-up matches on the horizon, these teams will have to rely on their experience and expertise to face other teams in the Champions Trophy.

Moreover, preparations for the tournament’s venues are yet to be completed, further adding to the uncertainty about how teams will adapt to Pakistan’s playing conditions.