The 15-player Pakistani team for the forthcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy has been announced. The team assigned to defend their Champions Trophy title has been announced by Pakistan. The last time the Champions Trophy was played, in 2017, the proud cricketing nation emerged victorious. This time, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are hosting the 2025 edition.
The team will be led by Muhammad Rizwan, who has done so since Babar Azam resigned following the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Since then, this is the first 50-over ICC competition. Saim Ayub, the rising star batsman, is notably missing after suffering an ankle injury during Pakistan’s New Year’s Test match in Cape Town, South Africa.
Asad Shafiq, a member of the National Selection Committee, clarified, “We recognize how devastating it must be for him to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form.” He was looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. “However, as a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritizing his long-term health over making any rushed decisions.”
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Abdullah Shafique, a top-order batsman, was also left out, giving Babar a chance to play in the top order. Fakhar Zaman, a veteran who was instrumental in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, is included. At The Oval in London, he scored his first-ever ODI century (114 off 106 deliveries) as Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs to win the trophy. Khushdil Shah, Saud Shakeel, and Faheem Ashraf are also remembered.
“Fakhar’s opening partner may be Saud Shakeel or Babar Azam, depending on the opposition, conditions, and match strategy,” Shafiq stated. “Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence.”
In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, the same team will play in the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa. Following Gary Kirst’s departure in October of last year, Aaqib Javed will remain in his position as interim coach.
Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Mohammad Rizwan (captain) comprise the Pakistani team. Before the excitement builds for their eagerly awaited matchup with India in Dubai, they will play in the tournament’s opening match against New Zealand in Karachi.
Fixtures for Pakistan’s Group Stage:
Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi, February 19
India vs. Pakistan, Dubai, February 23
Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, February 27
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