Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced team for the 11th ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be held in Pakistan.
The event will start on February 19 and end on March 9.
Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the captain, with Salman Ali Agha serving as vice-captain.
Several players, including Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Saud Shakeel, and Faheem Ashraf, have been recalled to the team.
Team Selection and Key Players
Selection committee member Asad Shafiq suggested that Fakhar Zaman’s opening partner should be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel.
He underlined that players performing well in home conditions were prioritized. The team also includes Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, and Usman Khan.
The pace attack consists of Haris Rauf, Muhammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
As for Saim Ayub’s omission, Shafiq recognized the disappointment but highlighted the need for strategic choices.
Pakistan’s Schedule and Squad Adjustments
Pakistan will face New Zealand for the first time on 19 February at Karachi. The same team will also contest in tri-nation one-day international series against New Zealand and South Africa.
The PCB will have till 11th February to make any changes to the squad.
Since then, only replacement would be accepted for medical reasons and that too with the ICC’s approval.
The four changes are made to the squad as compared to the one that was seen against South Africa last year.
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Sufyan Moqim have been replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel and Khushdil Shah.
Experienced Players and Recent Performances
Three men from Pakistan’s successful 2017 Champions Trophy side are Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Faheem Ashraf.
Babar, Fakhar, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saud Shakeel also featured for Pakistan during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The tournament will comprise eight teams and was scheduled to be played in both Pakistan and the UAE. This event is significant as it marks the return of an ICC tournament to Pakistan after nearly three decades.
Late Squad Announcement and Key Omissions
The team then dominated South Africa with a 3-0 series sweep, completely outplaying Temba Bavuma’s side.
They announced their squad somewhat late, akin to the time they took before announcing their selection for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Opener Saim Ayub has been ruled out following a serious injury he suffered while playing in one of the Test matches against South Africa.
Since the Australia series, Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s white-ball captain, has been guiding the team rather well.
Pakistan now aims to defend its Champions Trophy title, which it won in 2017 by defeating India in a memorable final.
Fakhar Zaman’s performance was just one of the highlights from that match as the Green Shirts are gearing up to take back their title. In the forthcoming tournament, scheduled between February 19 and March 9, they are set to perform with valor.
Chairman PCB: Mohsin Naqvi
Today morning, the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi stated full confidence with the selection committee stating that only the best of the lot was chosen.
He was accompanied by COO Sumair Syed, Aqib Javed, and Aleem Dar during his visit to Gaddafi Stadium.
