The BCCI stated that the Men’s Selection Committee will finalize the squad for both the IDFC First Bank ODI series against England and the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy. Fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating the composition of the squad, especially with the Champions Trophy just around the corner.

India’s Upcoming Fixtures

Before the ODI series, India will first take on England in a five-match T20I series starting January 22. The series will kick off in Kolkata, followed by matches in Chennai on January 25, Rajkot on January 28, Pune on January 31, and concluding in Mumbai on February 2.

The ODI series will follow the T20Is, with the first match scheduled for February 6. This series serves as important preparation for the Indian team ahead of their next major international assignment – the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from February 19 to March 9, with a unique hybrid model in which some matches will be hosted in Pakistan and others in the UAE. India is set to play all its matches in the UAE. The tournament will feature eight teams and a total of 15 matches, all played in the 50-over format.

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20, when they face Bangladesh in their opening match. This will be followed by a much-anticipated encounter against Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. India’s final league match is scheduled for March 2, where they will square off against New Zealand.

Tournament Structure

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be divided into two groups. Group A consists of hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes the 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, along with Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

India’s fixtures in Group A promise to be highly competitive, with their matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand likely to be among the most watched of the tournament.

Conclusion

With the ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, India’s squad selection will be under intense scrutiny. As the tournament draws nearer, the Indian cricket team will be looking to build on their recent successes and prepare for a challenging yet exciting few weeks of international cricket. Fans across the world will be watching closely as the squad announcement unfolds this Saturday.

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This new agreement is set to reduce trade barriers, streamline customs procedures, and foster increased private sector collaboration and investment between the two countries. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted that the agreement marks a significant addition to the UAE’s CEPA program, strengthening its connections with the Asia-Pacific region, one of the world’s most developed and open markets.

The UAE-New Zealand CEPA is built upon the growing economic ties between the two nations, with bilateral non-oil trade having reached USD 642 million in the first nine months of 2024, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Sheikh Mohamed emphasized that the CEPA reflects the shared ambition of both countries to create resilient, future-ready economies powered by knowledge, innovation, and talent.

As part of the agreement, New Zealand will provide 100% duty-free access to all imports from the UAE, while the UAE will offer duty-free access to 98.5% of New Zealand products, with this figure set to rise to 99% within three years. This trade deal is expected to increase bilateral trade to USD 5 billion by 2032, tripling the five-year average trade of USD 1.5 billion between the two nations from 2019-2023.

This partnership is particularly significant as it marks New Zealand’s first trade agreement with a Middle Eastern nation, and it stands as one of the UAE’s most expansive CEPAs to date. The agreement covers a wide array of areas, including indigenous trade, sustainable development, women’s economic empowerment, and transparency. In addition to the CEPA, a Bilateral Investment Treaty aimed at promoting and protecting investments was also concluded, ensuring a stronger framework for increasing UAE-New Zealand investment ties across multiple sectors.

The UAE’s CEPA program, launched in September 2021, is a central part of the country’s economic growth strategy, which targets USD 1 trillion in total trade value by 2031 and aims to double the size of its economy to surpass USD 800 billion by 2031. To date, the program has resulted in agreements with nations across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe, broadening access to markets that represent nearly a quarter of the world’s population.

This agreement solidifies the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its economic relations globally, with a particular focus on creating mutually beneficial partnerships that promote innovation, sustainability, and long-term economic growth.

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