Second leg of CT 2025 tour begins

The glittering ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy will begin its second leg of Pakistan tour on Sunday with a trip to Sheikhupura's historical Hiran Minar complex.

During this leg, the trophy will be taken to ten different cities across Pakistan in 14 days.

The global trophy tour ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 began in Pakistan on 16 November after which the trophy was taken to the seven participating countries from 26 November to 26 January.

In its second leg, apart from Sheikhupura the trophy will be taken to Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta.

The trophy will also grace the newly upgraded Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Feb 8 during the tri-nation series opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Some of the iconic destinations where the trophy will be taken to during these 14 days include Multan Fort, Bahawalpur's Noor Mahal, Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium, Karachi's National Stadium, Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium and Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

The global trophy tour will conclude in Karachi on 14 February. The opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand on 19 February.

Asad Shafiq clarifies Pak's opening pair

Asad Shafiq, a member of the Pakistan selection committee, has addressed the question of Pakistan's opening pair for the upcoming tri-nation ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This follows the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) announcement of the 15-member squad for the events.

Fakhar Zaman is the only specialized opening batter in the squad. However, with Saim Ayub ruled out due to an ankle injury and Abdullah Shafique dropped due to his recent form, the selectors are considering different options for the opening slot. Shafiq revealed that either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel will be promoted to open alongside Fakhar, depending on the situation.

"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 in a PCB press release.

He added, "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."

ICC appoints match officials for tri-series

Australia's David Boon, who is a member of ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control team for the tri-nation ODI series involving hosts Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.

The single league tri-series is set to be played from 8-14 February in Lahore and Karachi as the newly upgraded Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium are set to welcome back international cricket.

As Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the much-anticipated opening match on Saturday, 8 February at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, England's Michael Gough, member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, and Pakistan's Faisal Khan Aafreedi, an ICC International Panel Umpire, will be the on-field umpires.

ICC Elite Panel Umpire, Richard Illingworth will be the third umpire and Rashid Riaz, member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires, will be the fourth umpire.

Gaddafi Stadium will also play host to the New Zealand vs South Africa contest on 10 February, where Richard Illingworth and Rashid Riaz will serve as the on-field umpires, while Michael Gough will be the third umpire. ICC's International Panel of Umpires' member Asif Yaqoob will be the fourth umpire for the fixture which is set to be played as a day game.

The action will move to Karachi's National Bank Stadium for the last league match and the final of the tri-series. Asif Yaqoob and Michael Gough will form the on-field umpires' duo, while Richard Illingworth and Faisal Khan Aafreedi will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively for the Pakistan vs South Africa fixture in Karachi.

In the final on Friday, 14 February, ICC Elite Panel Umpire, Ahsan Raza will officiate as an on-field umpire along with Richard Illingworth, while Michael Gough will be third umpire. Asif Yaqoob will perform duties as the fourth umpire in the final.