The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be played in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. The squad is led by Mohammad Rizwan and has Salman Ali Agha as his deputy. The squad includes both experienced campaigners and new faces, indicating a tactical approach to the title defense at home.

The 2025 side includes only three players from the 2017 Champions Trophy title-winning side – Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman.

Important Changes and Comebacks

Four players have been replaced in the team that last played an ODI series for South Africa. Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sufyan Moqim are out; while Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel are in.

Fakhar Zaman, the hero of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, returns after successfully shaking off all injury and illness ailments. His recent form in the Champions T20 Cup 2024, in which he has scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 132, underlines him for getting into the big stage.

Consistency in Test cricket gets Saud Shakeel into the ODI side, with a chance to contribute significantly as he is able to build an innings and then partner to make batting more balanced.

Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah also come back, providing all-rounders, thereby offering the balance in the side with the change in flexibility.

National selector Asad Shafiq highlighted the importance of flexibility within the team:

“We have picked players who have done well in domestic tournaments and are well aware of conditions back home. The combination is a balance of youth and experience, where each player knows his role.”

The opening combination is not set in stone; Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel could open alongside Fakhar Zaman depending on the conditions and the opposition.

The same team will make appearances in a tri-nation ODI series hosted by New Zealand and South Africa. It will serve as a useful buildup to the Champions Trophy. The latter will be played in Lahore and Karachi, allowing the team a fillip before the event on the global stage.

Pakistan’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Batsmen: 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

Preview

Pakistan have been playing excellent ODI cricket lately. They won series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, respectively. They would like to take that momentum into the Champions Trophy where they are set to play against New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh, in the group stage.

Pakistan will look to mix experience with new talent and the advantage of home soil as they bid for their second Champions Trophy title.

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