ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, set to be held in Pakistan from 19 February to 9 March. This squad will also compete in a tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa, which will take place in Karachi and Lahore.
The squad has seen four changes from the previous ODI series against South Africa. Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sufyan Maqeem have been replaced by Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.
Pakistan Squad:
- Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir
- All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (Vice-captain)
- Wicketkeeper-batters: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Usman Khan
- Spinner: Abrar Ahmed
- Fast bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Fakhar Zaman makes a return to the squad after recovering from illness and injury. He impressed during the Champions T20 Cup in December, where he scored 303 runs at an outstanding strike rate of over 132, becoming the third-highest run-scorer. With 3,492 runs in 82 ODIs, including 11 centuries and 16 fifties, he brings significant experience.
Saud Shakeel, Pakistan’s Test vice-captain, earned his spot after consistent performances in home Test matches. He last played an ODI in October 2023, and this season, he scored 577 runs in 13 innings across series against Bangladesh, England, and the West Indies.
The return of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah provides Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan with more options. Faheem has been a consistent performer, while Khushdil’s strong performance in the Champions T20 Cup, where he scored 132 runs and took nine wickets, earned him a place in the squad.
Three players from the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning squad—Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman—will be part of the team, alongside Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saud Shakeel, who were in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup squad.
Since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan has played three ODI series, defeating Australia (2-1), Zimbabwe (2-1), and South Africa (3-0).
Selection committee member Asad Shafiq highlighted that the selectors prioritized players with consistent domestic performances and those suited to the format. The inclusion of emerging players such as spinner Abrar Ahmed and middle-order batters Kamran Ghulam and Tayyab Tahir reflects the board’s confidence in their abilities.
The tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa will serve as vital preparation for the Champions Trophy, providing the team with an opportunity to refine strategies in a competitive environment.
