Follow UsPakistan, hosts of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (except India matches), announced their squad for the event on January 31 (Friday), releasing a special video on their social media handles. In the video message, the winners of the 2017 Champions Trophy, named the squad for this year’s edition.
Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf are the only three members of the present squad that won the tournament eight years ago in England, beating arch-rivals India in the final.
ICC Champions Trophy 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ winners announce squad for the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ event 🏆✨
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 31, 2025
How will you show your support for the Pakistan team❓#ChampionsTrophy | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/zDYPFuqzBU
Both Fakhar and Faheem along with Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel were not part of the last ODI series that Pakistan played against South Africa a month ago.
Fakhar, who openly criticised the selectors for removing Babar from the Test squad during the England series, is added to the squad in place of Saim Ayub, who was ruled out after getting injured in South Africa.
“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” Asad Shafiq, Pakistan’s chief selector said.
While Faheem last played an ODI for Pakistan in September 2023, Khushdil’s last ODI for Pakistan goes back to 2022. Fakhar played for Pakistan in June 2024 and Shakeel in November 2023.
It is no surprise that the same squad will feature in the tri-nation ODI series involving hosts Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Apart from Ayub, the players missing from the last ODI series in Pakistan are Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Sufyan Moqim.
Pakistan’s squad for the ICC 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