ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB closes door on Pakistan squad changes despite political selection accusations
Published - 11 Feb 2025, 06:42 PM
The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just over a week away, and Tuesday, February 11, is the last day to make final changes to the squad before midnight. Pakistan were the last side to announce the 15-member squad on January 31, but there were rumors about major changes in the squad.
Ever since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the mega event, the former cricketers and fans have been slamming the national selectors for picking the players on political influence, and they made some biased calls.
No changes in Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad
The former cricketers were angry with especially Faheem Ashraf’s selection, and many demanded some adjustments to the 15-member squad. After the heavy criticism, the PCB and the national selectors have reportedly reviewed the CT 2025 squad, which fueled speculations about the changes.
Read Also: Watch: Usman Qadir exposes Pakistan cricket’s dirty secrets
But now the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources confirmed that there will be no changes to the initial 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A Cricket Pakistan report claimed that the squad will remain unchanged despite criticism from several former cricketers.
Here’s Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025:
Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed.
Notably, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, with the final being scheduled on March 9 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Defending champions Pakistan will face New Zealand in the eight-team tournament opener at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi.
The marquee event’s blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan will be played on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, UAE. The final will take place on Sunday, March 9, at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. If India qualify for the knockouts, the final will also be held in Dubai.
Ravi Shastri says Pakistan have strong chances of retaining the Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Pakistan, who are currently hosting South Africa and New Zealand in a Tr-nation ODI series, has great potential, but he said that there is always pressure when playing at home in the subcontinent due to the high expectations.
However, Shastri feels Pakistan could be a formidable team in the Champions Trophy 2025 given their record in the white-ball cricket. Notably, Pakistan will be hosting an ICC event for the first time in 29 years, with the last tournament being the 1996 World Cup, which Sri Lanka won.
Ravi Shastri said on ICC Review: “I think Pakistan is the kind of side that, with the exposure they’ve had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, has put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa.”
