ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan squad for CT and ODI tri-series announced, Fakhar Zaman recalled

Pakistan, on Friday (January 31), announced their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9. The same Pakistan squad will also be facing New Zealand and South Africa in the tri-series, scheduled to take place from February 8 to 14.

Pakistan are the hosts of the Champions Trophy and will be hosting most of the games. Four games are scheduled to be played in Dubai as India have refused to travel to Pakistan, citing security reasons. The final of the Champions Trophy could also be moved to UAE if India qualify for the title decider.

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Pakistan, who are also the defending champions, are in Group A for the Champions Trophy. India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh are the other three teams in the group. The Men in Green will be opening the Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.

Four days later on February 23, they will be locking horns against Team India in Dubai before facing Bangladesh on February 27 in their final group game. The top two teams from the group will make the cut for the semifinals. Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan are in the other group.

Pakistan squad announced:

Mohammad Rizwan will lead the Pakistan squad in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. The wicketkeeper-batsman was named as Pakistan's ODI captain last year and led the team to a famous series win in Australia and South Africa.

As expected, young opener Saim Ayub has not been named in the Pakistan squad as he continues his recovery from the ankle injury that he sustained during the Cape Town Test against South Africa earlier this month.

"We understand how much he was looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and recognise how devastating it must be for him to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form," Asad Shafiq, a member of the National Selection Committee explained.

"However, as a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritising his long-term health over making any rushed decisions," he added.

Abdullah Shafique has also failed to find a place in the Pakistan squad after his recent struggle with the bat. With Ayub and Abdullah out, Fakhar Zaman has been recalled to the Pakistan squad and could open the innings for the team in the marquee event.

"Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy," Shafiq said.

"Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence," he added.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy and tri-series:

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.