The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its squad of 15 players for the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from 19 February to 9 March. The PCB can make changes to the squad until 11 February, After 11 Feb replacements are not permitted except in the situation for medical reasons and the ICC Event Technical Committee will approve it. The same squad will participate in the Tri-nation ODI series with South Africa and New Zealand in Lahore and Karachi ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Some changes in the 15-Players team played in the last ODI series in South Africa last year. PCB has replaced some players including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Sufyan Moqim replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.
Muhammad Rizwan will lead the squad as a Captain, Salman Ali Agha will serve as Vice-Captain, and three more 2017 title-winning players, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman, will also participate in the team. Babar Azam, Fakhar, with Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saud Shakeel had also participated in the last 50-over ICC event – the ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan has marked three ODI series, winning against 50-over world champions Australia 2-1, Zimbabwe 2-1, and South Africa 3-0 after the ICC World Cup 2023.
The 15-Players Pakistan Squad is:
Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Tayyab Tahir are participating.
All Rounders are playing, including Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Salman Ali Agha.
Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinner Abrar Ahmad are participating.
Wicketkeeper Batters: Muhammad Rizwan(C) and Usman Khan are participating.
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The return of Fakhar Zaman is a major improvement for the Pakistan squad’s top order. Fakhar’s match-winning capabilities and aggressiveness are vital to the team’s plans. According to Asad Shafique, a Member of the National Selection Committee, Fakhar Zaman and Baber Azam could be the openers and opening pairs can be changed according to conditions and strategies against different teams or conditions. Asad Shafique also said that their focus is on selecting players performing in domestic events and can also perform in global events.
Saim Ayub is not included in this squad due to an ankle injury. It is devasting that he missed that global event when he was in exceptional batting form. PCB remains optimistic about his recovery. Saim is a valuable asset to the team, and PCB is committed to prioritizing his long-term health over making hurried decisions.
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Before the Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan squad will play a tri-nation ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. This will not only serve as preparation but also allow Pakistan to refine its strategies under competitive conditions. It’s a great chance for players to give final touch-ups before defending the Champions Trophy at home.