The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently holding consultations to finalize the national squad for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to commence next month. Before heading to the tournament, Pakistan will participate in a tri-nation series featuring South Africa and New Zealand.
A key decision yet to be made involves the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who is in the process of recovering from an ankle fracture. If deemed fit, Ayub is expected to be part of the squad for both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy. However, in the event of his unavailability, the selectors have already identified a potential replacement.
Out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are unlikely to secure spots in the squad, while Fakhar Zaman has successfully retained his place. The selection of Imam-ul-Haq and emerging wicketkeeper-batsman Haseebullah remains under consideration, adding an element of suspense to the final lineup.
The core of the squad is expected to include key players such as Mohammad Rizwan, captain Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan. On the bowling front, Pakistan will bank on its formidable pace attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, with additional support from Mohammad Hasnain. The spin department will feature leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and promising young talent Sufiyan Muqeem, alongside all-rounder Kamran Ghulam.
Notably, Pakistan is the only team yet to officially announce its squad for the tournament. While preliminary names have been submitted to the ICC, the final squad must be confirmed by February 11. With the tri-nation series starting on February 8, the PCB faces a tight timeline for finalizing the team.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, featuring eight teams and 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9. Matches will be held across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as Dubai. The tournament’s group stage divides teams into two pools. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
The hosts will kick off the tournament with a match against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The much-anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
Champions Trophy Schedule
• 19 February: Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi
• 20 February: Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai
• 21 February: Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi
• 22 February: Australia vs. England, Lahore
• 23 February: Pakistan vs. India, Dubai
• 24 February: Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, Rawalpindi
• 25 February: Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi
• 26 February: Afghanistan vs. England, Lahore
• 27 February: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
• 28 February: Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore
• 1 March: South Africa vs. England, Karachi
• 2 March: New Zealand vs. India, Dubai
• 4 March: Semi-final 1, Dubai
• 5 March: Semi-final 2, Lahore
• 9 March: Final, Lahore (if India qualifies, the final will be held in Dubai)
• 10 March: Reserve day
All matches will be day-night encounters, promising an exciting tournament for cricket fans around the globe.