LAHORE: Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entered the final stage of consultation to confirm the squad for the marquee event.
Sources suggest that the team will first participate in a tri-nation series involving South Africa and New Zealand before heading to the tournament. A key decision still pending is the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who is recovering from an ankle fracture. If deemed fit, the same squad is expected to represent Pakistan in both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy. However, if he remains unavailable, selectors have reportedly identified a potential replacement.
Out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are unlikely to make the final cut, while Fakhar Zaman has already secured his spot. The selection of Imam-ul-Haq and rising talent Haseebullah is still under review. The squad will likely feature Pakistan’s key players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan.
On the bowling front, Pakistan will rely heavily on its formidable pace trio—Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf—alongside Mohammad Hasnain. Additional support will come from Kamran Ghulam, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, and promising young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.
Interestingly, Pakistan remains the only team yet to officially announce its squad for the upcoming tournament. While preliminary names have been submitted to the ICC, the final squad must be confirmed by February 11, leaving a narrow window ahead of the tri-series, which kicks off on February 8.
