ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan take a final call on Fakhar Zaman's case

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, across Pakistan and the UAE. With preparations in full swing, the defending champions, Pakistan, are reportedly finalizing a balanced 15-member squad to defend the title.

It is being said that the Men in Green are preparing their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a well-rounded combination of seven batters, four fast bowlers, three spinners, and one wicketkeeper.

Pakistan finalizing strong squad to defend ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title

Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, will be the only wicketkeeper in their Champions Trophy squad, with Usman Khan, who featured as a backup gloveman during the South Africa ODI series, set to miss out on the final squad for the upcoming prestigious tournament.

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Their pace attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, featuring the expected names Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, while Mohammad Hasnain is a strong contender as the fourth seamer for the eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan’s spin department is likely to feature Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufiyan Maqeem.

Shadab Khan, who is currently in Category C of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Central Contract for 2024-25, has made an inspiring comeback through domestic cricket, amassing 120 runs and claiming five wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup, making him one of the strongest candidates for a spot.

Fakhar Zaman set to return for the Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman is also likely to make a comeback to the ODI setup for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old, who has played 82 One-Day Internationals for Pakistan, had played a key role in Pakistan’s title triumph in 2017.

However, Fakhar Zaman needs to meet fitness requirements set by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as part of his central contract to be named in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming multi-nation event at home and in the UAE, where only India’s matches will be held.

Notably, Fakhar Zaman was overlooked for Pakistan’s tours of Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, but he recently impressed with his performance in the Champions T20 tournament. He scored 303 runs in 10 matches at an average of 30.30, including two half-centuries.

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The Tribune Express reported that Fakhar Zaman, along with Shadab Khan and Imam-ul-Haq, are highly likely to be included in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to kick off with the hosts taking on New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.

Pakistan hosting the ICC tournament for the first time since 1996

Notably, the ICC Champions Trophy is back after an eight-year break, with the exciting 15-match tournament returning to the cricket calendar in 2025 after 2017. Defending champions Pakistan will host the global ICC event for the first time since 1996. The UAE will be a neutral venue for India.

The upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 will be a 19-day competition where eight teams will be battling for the prestigious trophy in white jackets. The teams are split into two groups: Group A features Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan, while Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa are placed in Group B.