ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub included in Pakistan squad for CT picked by Kamran Akmal
Table of Contents
Former cricketer Kamran Akmal has named his Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. In a big surprise, Akmal named both the left-handed openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub in his squad.
Saim Ayub suffered an injury during Pakistan's Test series in South Africa and has been out of any professional cricket since that moment. The PCB decided to send Ayub to London for proper treatment, however, his chances of making it to the Champions Trophy are quite slim.
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has been out of the team for a long time now. He was dropped after speaking against the board and was subsequently dropped from Pakistan's squad for the ODI series in Australia.
Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB ordered to appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as 'mentor' to crush India
Kamran Akmal includes Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for the Champions Trophy
Kamran Akmal took to social media and picked his Pakistan squad of 15 players for the upcoming Champions Trophy. It is a strong squad but it depends on the fitness of a few players.
My 15 men 🇵🇰 squad for #CT2025
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) January 15, 2025
1.Fakhar Zaman
2.Saim Ayub
3.Babar Azam
4.M.Rizwan (c)
5.Salman Ali Agha
6.Kamran Ghulam
7.Aamer Jamal
8.Shaheen shah afridi
9.Haris Rauf
10.Naseem Shah
11.Abrar Ahmad
12.Imam ul Haq
13.Sufiyan Muqeem
14.M.Irfan Khan Niazi
15.M.Husnain
What’s yours?
The squad doesn't have many surprises with the wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan picked as the captain of the side. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Imam-ul-Haq are the three openers in the team. While Fakhar and Imam are fit, Ayub's fitness is a huge concern for the Men in Green.
The middle order looks solid with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan likely to slot in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. Kamran Ghulam, who scored a magnificent hundred on his Test debut, has also found a place in the team, and so has the big-hitter Irfan Khan Niazi.
Salman Ali Agha, who is currently the vice-captain of the team, provides them with the required balance with his quality off-spin bowling. Salman has been one of the best performers for Pakistan across formats for the last few months.
Strong bowling attack
The bowling line-up looks strong with Shaheen Afridi leading the pack. Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf are the three frontline fast bowlers in the squad with Mohammad Hasnain and bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal being the reserve fast bowlers.
Left-arm chinaman bowler Sufiyan Muqeem and legspinner Abrar Ahmed have been included as the two specialist spinners in the squad. The balance of the squad looks great but it all depends on Saim Ayub's fitness now.
Pakistan will begin its Champions Trophy campaign on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi. The Men in Green will then travel to Dubai to face arch-rivals India in a highly anticipated clash. India and Pakistan are in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Kamran Akmal's Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (C) (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Irfan Khan Niazi, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hasnain
