The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-player squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from 19 February to 9 March. The PCB has until 11 February to make any changes to the squad; thereafter, replacements will only be permitted on medical grounds, subject to approval by the ICC Event Technical Committee.
The same squad will also feature in the tri-nation ODI series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore and Karachi, in the lead up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
There are four changes in the 15-player squad that last played an ODI series in South Africa late last year. Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub and Sufyan Moqim have been replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel.
The proud cricketing nation won the most recent Champions Trophy event in 2017 in England & Wales. However this time, Pakistan is hosting this 2025 edition, along with the UAE.
Mohammad Rizwan will lead the team, having done so since Babar Azam stepped down from the role after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023. This is the first 50-over ICC tournament since then.Rising star hitter Saim Ayub is ruled out, having sustained an ankle injury in Pakistan’s New Year’s Test in Cape Town, South Africa.
“We understand how much he was looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and recognise how devastating it must be for him to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form,” Asad Shafiq, a member of the National Selection Committee explained.
“However, as a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritizing his long-term health over making any rushed decisions.” said by the officials.
Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy 2025 :
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir
All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain)
Wicketkeeper-batters: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Usman Khan
Spinner: Abrar Ahmed
Fast bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi