• Home
  • Cricket Analysis
  • Babar Azam And 3 Batters Who Will Be Crucial For Pakistan In Champions Trophy 2025

Babar Azam And...? 3 Batters Who Will Be Crucial For Pakistan In Champions Trophy 2025



3 key batters for Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @SaithHamzamir/X.com]3 key batters for Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @SaithHamzamir/X.com]

Story continues below ADVERTISEMENT

The 2025 Champions Trophy will be a huge event in the history of Pakistani cricket as they are hosting an ICC event after several decades. Therefore, the team will face pressure to deliver in front of the home crowd.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released their squad for the event a bit later than the other teams. One major miss for them is Saim Ayub, the explosive opener, who injured his ankle during the South Africa tour.

Moreover, Fakhar Zaman has returned to the side after his feud with PCB was settled. Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side with Shaheen Afridi also making a comeback. 

While their bowling attack is strong, here are 3 key batters who will play a crucial role in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

3. Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman [Source: @CallMeSheri1/X.com]Fakhar Zaman [Source: @CallMeSheri1/X.com]

Fakhar Zaman, the explosive opening batter has returned to the side after ending his feud with PCB. This left-handed opener is very famous for scoring a match-winning century against India in the final of ICC Champions Trophy 2017. 

Overcoming injury setbacks, Fakhar made a glorious return to form during the Champions T20 Cup 2024, scoring 303 runs at a strike rate of over 132. Fakhar is also the guy who dismantles bowling attacks with a powerful onslaught in the powerplay. More than that, with 11 hundreds and 16 half-centuries in 82 ODIs, Fakhar comes as both experienced and with fire.

Format
Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
100/50
ODI82 349246.5693.4411/16
Champions T20 Cup1030330.30132.310/2
ODIs in Pakistan19
85147.2788.003/4

2. Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan [Source: @grassrootscric/X.com]Mohammad Rizwan [Source: @grassrootscric/X.com]

Champions Trophy 2025 is Mohammad Rizwan’s first ICC tournament since he took over Pakistan’s white ball format captaincy in 2024. Equally effective as an anchor or an aggressor, the ability of Rizwan to assess match situations and pace his innings accordingly will be invaluable for Pakistan. 

His scintillating performances in his ODI career and his reputation for delivering under pressure make him a significant player in helping Pakistan's middle order stabilise run chases. In his international career spanning years, Rizwan has played 83 ODIs and has scored 2352 runs with a 41.26 average.

Format
Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
100/50
ODI83235241.2688.683/15
2023 ODI World Cup939565.8395.411/1
ODIs in Pakistan
1959342.3584.710/5

1. Babar Azam

Babar Azam [Source: @MahdAdrees56/X.com]Babar Azam [Source: @MahdAdrees56/X.com]

Babar Azam, widely touted as Pakistan’s greatest modern-day batter, is likely to play a big role for his team in the Champions Trophy 2025. Though Azam’s recent form has been disastrous, his talent and dominance at home is undeniable. His ODI record also speaks for itself. In 123 ODI games, he has amassed 5957 runs with 19 centuries and a 56.73 average. 

Moreover, for the upcoming tournament, Babar is likely to open the innings with Fakhar. Having Fakhar’s support will also come in handy as Babar will have space to settle himself and come out of the lean patch.

Format
Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
100/50
ODI123595756.7388.2119/34
Champions One-Day Cup4
23076.6698.711/1
ODIs in Pakistan22
147173.5595.587/8