Pakistan announce Champions Trophy squad, Fakhar Zaman returns

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the much-anticipated squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 and tri-nation series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, with Fakhar Zaman making a comeback to the team.

The prestigious tournament will kick off on February 19 and run until March 9.

In a statement released by the board, four changes were made to the 15-player squad that last competed in South Africa’s ODI series late in 2024.

Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sufyan Moqim have been replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.

Mohammad Rizwan will captain the squad, with Salman Ali Agha named vice-captain. The squad includes three members from the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning team—Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, and Fakhar Zaman.

Fakhar’s return is a highlight, marking his comeback after a lengthy absence due to injury and illness since June 2024.

The experienced opener, known for his century in the 2017 final against India, showed his return to peak form with a strong performance in the Champions T20 Cup 2024, where he was the third-highest run-scorer with 303 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 132.

Fakhar has scored 3,492 runs in 82 ODIs, with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries, at an average of 46.5.

Saud Shakeel, Pakistan’s Test vice-captain, earned a spot in the squad thanks to his stellar performances in home Tests.

Shakeel has scored 577 runs in 13 Test innings this season, including two centuries and two half-centuries. His consistent form has earned him a call-up to the limited-overs squad.

All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah also make a return to the 50-over squad, adding balance and flexibility to the team.

Faheem’s last ODI appearance was in September 2023, but his consistent domestic performances have earned him a spot.

Khushdil, who last played in August 2022, returns after an outstanding performance in the Champions One-Day Cup, where he scored 176 runs and took nine wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.

He mentioned that either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel could open alongside Fakhar Zaman.

Shafiq also acknowledged the disappointment of Saim Ayub’s exclusion from the squad, but emphasized that careful decisions were made to ensure the team’s balance.

The PCB has until February 11 to make any changes to the squad; after that, replacements will only be allowed on medical grounds, subject to approval by the ICC Event Technical Committee.

This squad will also compete in the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa, starting February 8 in Lahore.

Pakistan’s first match in the series will be against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium.

Following the tri-nation series, the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, running until March 9.

The tournament will be held across four venues: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai, with 15 thrilling encounters between the eight participating teams.

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