ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Squad Announcement Delayed
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, making them the only team still to do so. According to the tournament rules, all teams were supposed to submit their provisional squads by January 12. However, the PCB did not meet this deadline. The final squad must be submitted by February 13, giving Pakistan some more time to finalize their team.
Why is the Pakistan Squad Announcement Delayed?
One of the main reasons for the delay in Pakistan’s squad announcement could be the fitness of young batsman Saim Ayub. During the recent Test series against South Africa, Saim suffered an injury. As a result, he has been undergoing treatment in London. The PCB wants to give him as much time as possible to recover before making a final decision on his inclusion in the squad.
If Saim Ayub is unable to recover in time, there is a strong chance that Shan Masood will replace him in the squad. Shan has experience playing in international tournaments and could be a reliable choice. Another player likely to return to the team is Fakhar Zaman, who has been an important part of Pakistan’s limited-overs setup in the past.
Pakistan’s Likely Squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Although the official squad has not been announced yet, experts and fans have been predicting the team lineup. Based on past performances and the current form of players, the probable squad for the ICC Champions Trophy could include:
- Mohammad Rizwan – A consistent wicketkeeper-batsman and one of Pakistan’s key players in all formats.
- Babar Azam – Pakistan’s top batsman and former captain, known for his stylish batting and ability to anchor an innings.
- Tayyab Tahir – A promising batsman who has impressed with his performances in domestic and international cricket.
- Irfan Khan Niazi – A young batsman with potential, looking to make an impact on the international stage.
- Sufyan Muqeem – A talented spinner who could play a vital role in subcontinent conditions.
- Mohammad Hasnain – A fast bowler known for his pace and ability to bowl quick bouncers.
- Abdullah Shafiq – A technically sound batsman who has performed well in red-ball cricket and is aiming to cement his place in limited-overs cricket.
- Naseem Shah – One of Pakistan’s fastest bowlers, known for his ability to swing the ball at high speeds.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – The leader of Pakistan’s pace attack, capable of taking wickets with both the new and old ball.
- Haris Rauf – A lethal fast bowler known for his ability to bowl in the death overs.
- Abrar Ahmed – A mystery spinner who has made an impact in Test cricket and could be a valuable addition in limited-overs formats.
- Kamran Ghulam – A dependable batsman with solid performances in domestic cricket.
- Salman Ali Agha – A batting all-rounder who provides stability in the middle order.
- Imam-ul-Haq/Shan Masood – If Saim Ayub is unable to recover, one of these experienced batsmen could take his place.
- Fakhar Zaman – A destructive opening batsman with a proven track record in international cricket.
- Abbas Afridi – A young all-rounder with great potential.
What’s Next for the Pakistan Squad?
The PCB has time until February 13 to announce the final squad, so they are likely to wait as long as possible before making a decision. The delay also gives them time to assess players’ fitness and form before the tournament. Pakistan’s squad is almost finalized, but there may be last-minute changes based on injuries and player availability.
Possible Playing XI for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy
Based on the likely squad, here is a possible starting XI for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy:
- Babar Azam (Captain)
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Tayyab Tahir
- Salman Ali Agha
- Shan Masood (If Saim Ay
