Babar Azam's batting position, Haris Rauf's fitness update officially disclosed by Pakistan before Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has opened up about star batter Babar Azam's batting position in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to begin on February 19. Rizwan on Tuesday confirmed that Babar will open for the innings during the eight-team ODI tournament.

The Champions Trophy 2025 will commence on Wednesday with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Babar Azam recently opened for Pakistan in the Tri-Series against New Zealand and South Africa but struggled to find form with the bat during the series.

Babar Azam Will Continue Opening the Batting for Us - Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan confirmed that Babar Azam will continue as an opener for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. Rizwan said that Babar is satisfied with his batting position. The Pakistan skipper added that a left-right batting combination in home conditions made him the best choice.

"We have options, but if you look at the combination, Babar will continue opening the batting for us in the Champions Trophy. He is satisfied with his batting position. We want to bring genuine openers, but it is our home conditions, we want a left-right combination. Hence, we decided to have Babar Azam as an opener as he is technically sound batter," Rizwan told reporters ahead of the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.

Babar Azam recorded scores of 10, 23, and 29 in the Tri-Series. The right-handed batter last scored a century against Nepal in August 2023. He is one century away from equaling former opener Saeed Anwar's record for the most centuries for Pakistan in ODI cricket.

Everyone Is Training Very Hard and Working Hard to Win - Mohammad Rizwan

Babar and Fakhar Zaman will open the batting for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. Rizwan stated that the focus isn't only on him and Babar. Rizwan added that everyone is focused on winning the tournament while controlling what is within their control.

"It is not just about me and Babar Azam. Everyone is training very hard and working hard to win the Champions Trophy. We are just controlling the controlables," said Rizwan.

After a 29-year gap, Pakistan is set to host an ICC event. They last hosted an ICC event in 1996. Following the 2009 Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan team, no international teams visited the country for a decade. Cricket slowly returned to Pakistan, and now the country is hosting a major ICC event again.

Haris Rauf Bowled 80% Yesterday - Mohammad Rizwan

Rizwan confirmed that Haris Rauf is fully fit and ready to play in the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan skipper stated that the pacer had bowled 80% in practice recently and is now in full rhythm.

“Haris Rauf bowled 80% yesterday, and now he is bowling in full rhythm. He is fit and available for the team,” Rizwan stated.

Haris Rauf was forced to leave the field during the 36th over of the tri-nation series opener against New Zealand after suffering a muscular sprain in his lower chest wall.

Rauf, who is known for his express pace and ability to take crucial wickets, is an important part of Pakistan's bowling attack, particularly in the middle overs. The 31-year-old pacer has taken 83 wickets in 46 ODIs.

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