ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan squad leaked! Abdullah Shafique, Usman Khan snubbed, Fakhar Zaman included

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is finalizing the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for February next month in Pakistan and Dubai. One key decision yet to be made is whether to include young opener Saim Ayub, who is currently recovering from an ankle fracture.

Pakistan will host a tri-series in February 2025, with South Africa and New Zealand as the participating teams. This series will serve as preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy. It is worth mentioning that Pakistan is the only team yet to announce its squad for the prestigious ICC tournament.

Pakistan Set to Announce Squad for Upcoming Champions Trophy 2025

According to the Geo Super report, Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 is still under final consideration. The inclusion of Saim Ayub, who is recovering from an ankle injury, remains uncertain. If Ayub is deemed fit, the same squad will be used for both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.

However, if he is unavailable, replacements are being considered. Abdullah Shafique, who has been out of form, and Usman Khan are unlikely to be selected. Fakhar Zaman confirmed his place in the squad, while Imam-ul-Haq and Haseebullah Khan are under consideration to replace the injured Saim Ayub.

Mohammad Rizwan Set to Lead the Men In Green in Champions Trophy 2025

The selectors are expected to include key players such as Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan. The team will rely on a strong pace attack featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Hasnain.

Kamran Ghulam, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, and young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem could also be included. However, Pakistan remains the only team yet to officially announce its squad for the event. While preliminary names have been submitted to the ICC, the final squad must be confirmed by February 11.

Pakistan Will Enter Champions Trophy 2025 as Defending Champions

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Pakistan is placed 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 hosted across three venues in Pakistan and 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 play Bangladesh in the final group-stage match on February 27 in Rawalpindi. The semifinals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, with the final taking place on March 9.

The Champions Trophy last took place in 2017, hosted by England, where Pakistan won their first title by defeating arch-rivals India by 180 runs in the final clash. After that, the tournament was discontinued but was revived four years later in 2021, with the 2025 edition scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan.

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