The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai in February next month. One of the major decisions yet to be made is the inclusion of young opener Saim Ayub, who is currently recovering from a fractured ankle.
Pakistan will host a tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in February 2025. This series will serve as preparation for the upcoming Champions Cup. It should be noted that Pakistan is still the only team that has not announced its squad for the prestigious ICC tournament.
Pakistan is all set to announce its squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025
According to a Geo Super report, Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 is still being finalised. Saim Ayub’s inclusion in the squad remains uncertain as he recovers from an ankle injury. If Ayub is deemed fit, the same squad will be used for both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.
However, if he is not available, his replacement is considered. Out-of-form Abdullah Shafiqa and Usman Khan are unlikely to be selected. Fakhar Zaman has confirmed his place in the squad, while Imam-ul-Haq and Hasebullah Khan are being considered to replace the injured Saim Ayub.
Mohammad Rizwan will lead the Men in Green at Champions Trophy 2025
The selectors are expected to include key players like Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan. The team will rely on a strong pace attack with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain.
Kamran Ghulam, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and young spinner Sufiyan Mugeem could also be included. However, Pakistan remains the only team yet to officially announce their squad for the event. While the preliminary names have been submitted to the ICC, the final squad has to be confirmed by February 11.
Pakistan will enter the Champions Trophy 2025 as the Defending Champions
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Pakistan are in Group A along with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B consists of Afghanistan, South Africa, England and Australia.
The event will run from February 19 to March 9, with matches being played across three venues in Pakistan and the games for India in Dubai under a hybrid model. Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi. Pakistan’s highly anticipated clash against India is scheduled for February 23.
Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the final group stage match on February 27 in Rawalpindi. The semi-finals will be held on March 4 and 5, and the final on March 9.
The Champions Trophy was last hosted by England in 2017 and Pakistan won their maiden title by defeating arch-rivals India by 180 runs in the final encounter. The tournament was then suspended, but was resumed four years later in 2021 and was scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2025.
Also read: IPL 2025: Watch – Rishabh Pant takes brutal dig at KL Rahul after becoming LSG captain
 is finalizing the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled for February next month in Pakistan and Dubai.){kind=link}