The PCB has announced Pakistan's 15-member national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, being hosted by the country.
The much-awaited cricket tournament is set to begin on February 19 and run until March 9.
Mohammad Rizwan is set to lead the team with Salman Ali Agha as the vice captain. Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Saud Shakeel and Faheem Ashraf are set to return.
The team selection committee member Asad Shafiq says Fakhar Zaman's opening partner can be Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, adding that cricketers with excellent performance in home conditions have been selected.
The team also includes Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir. Salman Ali Agha and Usman Khan. Haris Rauf, Muhammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi are also part of the team.
"We understand how painful it is for Saim Ayub not to play the Champions Trophy, but we do not want to make any hasty decisions," Shafiq remarked.
Pakistan will play its first match in the Champions Trophy against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The same team will also participate in the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa.
According to a statement, the PCB has until February 11 to make changes to the squad, after which replacements will only be permitted on medical grounds, with the approval of the ICC Event Technical Committee.
Pakistan has made four changes to its 15-member squad that last played an ODI series against South Africa late last year. Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sufyan Moqim have been replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.
The squad features three players from Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy-winning team -- Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman. Additionally, Babar, Fakhar, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saud Shakeel were part of Pakistan’s squad in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Since the conclusion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan has played three ODI series, securing victories against Australia (2-1), Zimbabwe (2-1), and South Africa (3-0).
The tournament, which had been scheduled to take place primarily in Pakistan with a few matches in the United Arab Emirates, features eight competing teams. Pakistan held significant importance as the host nation, marking the return of an International Cricket Council (ICC) event to the country after 29 years.
Similar to their announcement for the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan became the last team to declare their squad for the Champions Trophy.
Opener Saim Ayub, who had begun to showcase his potential across formats, faced an unfortunate setback as he had been ruled out of the tournament due to a serious injury sustained during a Test match against South Africa.
Pakistan's white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan, who had taken charge from the Australia series, had led the side commendably. Under his leadership, Pakistan secured a historic 2-1 ODI series victory against Australia on their home soil after 22 years.
Subsequently, the Green Shirts dismantled South Africa in a 3-0 clean sweep, outclassing the Temba Bavuma-led side. Bolstered by their recent successes in the ODI format, Pakistan now set their sights on defending the Champions Trophy title, which they had clinched in 2017 by overpowering India in a memorable final.
Fakhar Zaman’s match-winning performance in that encounter remained a highlight of Pakistan’s cricket history.
The Green Shirts aimed to defend their crown in the upcoming edition of the tournament, scheduled from 19 February to 9 March.
Earlier today, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had expressed confidence in the selection committee, assuring that the best possible team had been chosen for the tournament. He was accompanied by COO Sumair Syed, Aqib Javed and Aleem Dar during his visit to Gaddafi Stadium.
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Naqvi also provided updates on Pakistan’s preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted in the country. He confirmed that Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be inaugurated on February 7, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the chief guest. Similarly, Karachi stadium will be inaugurated on February 11 by President Asif Ali Zardari.
A special Champions Trophy ceremony, organised in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC), will take place on February 16. He said invitations have been extended to all cricket boards, including India, as well as the ICC chairman and other dignitaries. "A lot of guests are expected to attend the event."
The PCB chairman reiterated that Pakistan is fully prepared to host the Champions Trophy and will welcome all participating teams with great hospitality. He dismissed rumours of a team photo shoot in Dubai, emphasizing that preparations are in full swing and that there is unity and momentum within the national squad.
Regarding the presence of ICC Chair Jay Shah, Naqvi said, "There is no confirmation yet, but all cricket boards, including India, have been invited."
Naqvi concluded by saying that he has full confidence in the national team and the selection committee, adding that Pakistan aims to win the Champions Trophy. He also acknowledged challenges in balancing PCB’s financial expenses but assured that the organization remains independent and does not take any grants from the government.
