The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is not very far away! The top eight teams in international cricket will compete for the coveted title and fans will get to witness some memorable clashes. After a big delay due to a standoff between India and Pakistan over the venue, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule was announced. The Champions Trophy 2025 starts on February 19 and the final is on March 9. All the teams barring hosts Pakistan have announced their squads for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In this article, we shall take a look at what Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad can look like. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 All Squads: Full Players List of All Teams for Ninth Edition of Men's ODI Competition.
For Pakistan, hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be a momentous occasion as the nation will get to host an ICC tournament after a long gap of 28 years. Mohammad Rizwan will have his first ICC assignment as Pakistan's permanent white-ball captain in the Champions Trophy 2025. Along with him, the likes of Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Kamran Ghulam are set to be core members of the side.
The Green Shirts have been dealt a massive blow with Saim Ayub probably out of the reckoning for making the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. The young left-hander, who had been batting so well, especially in limited-overs cricket, sustained a knee injury during the South Africa vs Pakistan tests and has been sidelined with injury. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Full Schedule, Free PDF Download Online: Get Fixtures, Time Table With Match Timings in IST and Venue Details of Cricket Tournament.
Batters: The return of Fakhar Zaman seems pretty likely now, especially with Saim Ayub expectedly out of the reckoning for the Champions Trophy 2025. Babar Azam, who too was part of the 2017 campaign, will look to lead from the front with bat in hand and reinstate his stature as a modern-day master. Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam are set to be the other specialist batters in the side. Imam-ul-Haq can be picked as an option for opening the innings with Abdullah Shafique unlikely to be picked.
All-Rounders: Pakistan are likely to have Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal and Khushdil Shah can be the three all-rounders who might make it to Pakistan's squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Khushdil Shah, who last played for Pakistan in 2023, might make a comeback to the team on the back of good form for Rangpur Riders in the BPL (Bangladesh Premier League) 2025.
Bowlers: While Abrar Ahmed is set to be one of the main spinners in Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, it remains to be seen who the other ones are. Shadab Khan, who last played for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup last year, might remain sidelined. Salman Ali Agha will also be pretty handy with his off-spin. Given the spin-friendly nature of Pakistan's pitches these days, it would not be surprising if a Sajid Khan is picked as well. Shaheen Afridi will spearhead the pace attack alongside Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Pakistan also might include one of Abbas Afridi and also Mohammad Hasnain.
Pakistan's Likely Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Aamir Jamal, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi/Mohammad Hasnain
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2025 08:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).