ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Babar Azam's batting position leaked; openers confirmed
Published - 23 Jan 2025, 10:39 PM | Updated - 23 Jan 2025, 10:46 PM
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently busy in preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as the venues have not yet fully prepared for the prestigious tournament’s return. In this chaos, Pakistan is taking its sweet time to announce its 2025 Champions Trophy squad.
The rest of all seven participants have already announced their primary squads for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but the hosts and the defending champions have not yet named their final 15 despite the deadline to announce the provisional squads having ended on January 12.
Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman to open for Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hasn't given any reasons why they are delaying announcing their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but still, they have time till February 13 to pick their squad for the eight-nation tournament.
As the suspense is building, and fans eagerly await Pakistan’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad, a Samaa TV correspondent, Qadir Khawaja, disclosed some interesting details about their squad. He revealed that Babar Azam will be promoted to the top order in the prestigious tournament.
An even more interesting thing is that Fakhar Zaman is confirmed to return to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. But the most surprising news is that Fakhar Zaman will team up with Babar Azam at the top of the order to help Pakistan defend the trophy at home.
Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq set to dropped from Pakistan's ODI squad
In a blow to Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hopes, young opener Saim Ayub is all set to miss the tournament due to an ankle injury, and this setback has reportedly led to changes in the opening combination for the mega event.
Qadir Khawaja also claimed that Shan Masood, Pakistan’s Test captain, and opener, Imam-ul-Haq, will be dropped from the ODI squad for the upcoming prestigious tournament. With Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman set to open the innings, Kamran Ghulam is likely to slot in at number three.
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However, Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood are likely to be picked as the backup opening options for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder Khushdil Shah is likely to make a surprise return to the Men in Green for the tournament despite not playing international cricket for a year.
Fakhta Told me that Fakhar Zaman will open with Babar Azam...
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) January 23, 2025
No shan Masood
No Imam ul haq is in the squad#PakistanCricket #ChampionsTrophy2025 #BabarAzam
Khushdil Shah set for surprise return for Champions Trophy 2025
However, Khushdil Shah's stunning form in the Bangladesh Premier League 2024-25 (BPL 2024-25) makes his case strong for the 50-over tournament. Khushdil Shah's impressive performances in domestic cricket, including the BPL 2024-25, have caught the attention of the Pakistan selectors.
Khushdil’s inclusion would add depth and versatility to the lineup, so the all-rounder is almost a sure shot for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Abdullah Shafique is currently not on the selectors’ radar for the tournament.
Well, the rest of the Pakistan squad is expected to remain unchanged, with skipper Mohammad Rizwan and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf likely to retain their spots.
Notably, Pakistan will face New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener in Karachi on February 19 and then India in a blockbuster clash on February 23 in Dubai.
