3 key batters for Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @SaithHamzamir/X.com]
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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.
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
ODI
82
3492
46.56
93.44
11/16
Champions T20 Cup
10
303
30.30
132.31
0/2
ODIs in Pakistan
19
851
47.27
88.00
3/4
2. Mohammad Rizwan
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
ODI
83
2352
41.26
88.68
3/15
2023 ODI World Cup
9
395
65.83
95.41
1/1
ODIs in Pakistan
19
593
42.35
84.71
0/5
1. Babar Azam
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.