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3 Pakistan Batters Who Can Play As Opener In Champions Trophy Alongside Fakhar Zaman



Fakhar Zaman - (Source:@Farid/X.com)Fakhar Zaman - (Source:@Farid/X.com)

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On Friday, January 31, the PCB announced Pakistan's 15-member squad for upcoming Champions Trophy which begins from February 19. The hosts were the only team left to not have announced their squad. Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side, but Saim Ayub misses out.

Notably, the reason behind PCB's delayed announcement was that they were waiting for update on Saim Ayub, who had twisted his ankle in South Africa series. Now, for the Champions Trophy, Pakistan have included Fakhar Zaman, but there is an uncertainty over the other opener as Abdullah Shafique too misses out from the side because of poor run with the bat.

Meanwhile, this article will shed light on three Pakistani stars who can open alongside Fakhar Zaman in Champions Trophy 2025. 

1. Babar Azam

Babar is one great option for the PCB to open the innings for Pakistan. Recently, in the South Africa series, after Ayub got injured, Babar chipped in to open the innings and did well alongside Shan Masood. However, Babar, in ODIs, Babar has opened just twice and amassed 26 runs. 

Nonetheless, Babar boasts a lot of experience opening the innings for Pakistan in the shortest format of the game and has done well as well, which the PCB would hope from the former Pakistan skipper to replicate in Champions Trophy.

2. Saud Shakeel

Another opening option for the PCB is Saud Shakeel. It is worth noting that Shakeel, who has played 15 matches in his ODI career, has never opened the innings for Pakistan. Although, the idea of Saud opening the innings actually came from Pakistan selector Asad Shafiq.

“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” said Asad Shafiq in PCB's press release. 

3. Usman Khan

Usman Khan, who has not played an ODI for Pakistan in the last three years, earned a surprising Pakistan call-up following his heroics in the BPL. Notably, Khan has scored 285 runs in eight innings, averaging 35.6. Further, Khan is opening in the Bangladesh Premier League and there is a possibility that he might open for Pakistan too in Champions Trophy.

He is yet to make his debut for Pakistan in ODIs.