Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Pakistan team ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @rajatahir27/x.com]Pakistan team ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @rajatahir27/x.com]

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Pakistan will looking to repeat their performance from the 2017 Champions Trophy. They won the title that edition and will be looking to defend the title on their home ground.

The Pakistan team has a lot of promise as a team and look like one of the contenders. The tournament will get on the way from 19th February with the match between Pakistan and New Zealand. Before the defending champions start their campaign, we will take a look at their squad and try to analyse their strengths and weaknesses for the tournament.

Pakistan Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Batters: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan
All-rounders: Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah
Bowlers: Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

Strengths Of Pakistan Team For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

1. Solid Top Order

If we look at the probable XI of the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy 2025, then top four look very solid for them. 

Pakistan's Top Four Batters' ODI Stats [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]Pakistan's Top Four Batters' ODI Stats [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]

Inference: If we see the ODI stats of the (rounded to nearest whole numbers) of the top four batters in the Pakistan batting line-up then we will see that barring Saud Shakeel all the other batters average over 43. Shakeel looks like the weak link as per stats, however, the southpaw has proven himself as a stable batter in the Test format and could be a calming influence in the line-up. The other three batters look like consistent and impactful ODI batters and this could be one of the biggest strengths of the defending champions in the tournament.

2. Solid And Impactful Pace Attack

Pakistan's Top Pace Attack's ODI Stats [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]Pakistan's Top Pace Attack's ODI Stats [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]

Inference: The only player in this pace attack who does not seem to have a great ODI record is Mohammad Hasnain. However, the presence of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah makes it look like a solid and impactful attack. The presence of these three bowlers gives the attack an overall rounded look. They have bowlers who can pick up wicket at all the stages of game and put them ahead in the match. Besides, there Mohammad Hasnain has shown the potential and could turn out to be a key factor for the team when they need it.

3. Home Ground Advantage

Pakistan will be playing most of their games in their home ground. They will play their only match in Dubai against India. 

Pakistan's ODI record at the venues of Champions Trophy 2025 [Courtesy @DatwaWrapper]Pakistan's ODI record at the venues of Champions Trophy 2025 [Courtesy @DatwaWrapper]

Inference: Pakistan have a great record in three of the four venues where the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played. The only venue where they have struggled in the last ten years is the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. These numbers show that the only hiccup they could have is against India in the group stage and if they have to play the final against their arch-rivals at Dubai. However, the records at the other ground suggest that they could have an otherwise smooth sailing in the tournament.

Weaknesses Of Pakistan Team For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

1. Lack Of Depth, Experience And Potency In The Spin Department

Stats Of Pakistan Spinners in ODIs [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]Stats Of Pakistan Spinners in ODIs [Courtesy: @DataWrapper]

Inference: In the subcontinent conditions, the spinners will play a big role in deciding the fate of every game. This could be a concern for Pakistan in the tournament. If we look at the spin bowling options for Pakistan in the tournament, we see that their lead spinner, Abrar Ahmed does not have enough experience in the format. On the other hand, the other options in the department does not seem to have enough potency. This will one of the biggest weaknesses of Pakistan during the tournament.

2. Lack Of Proven Finishers

ODI stats of finishers in Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025 [Courtesy:@DataWrapper]ODI stats of finishers in Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025 [Courtesy:@DataWrapper]

Inference: Salman Ali Agha looks like the only finisher who can adapt his game style and provide the team with substantial finishes. Besides Agha, both Tayyab Tahir and Khushdil Shah seem to lack experience when it comes it to playing the role of a finishers in ODIs. The could trouble the Pakistan team in big matches and crunch situations during the Champions Trophy 2025.

Opportunities For Pakistan Team In ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan with the Champions Trophy 2017 [Source: @BeautyPakistani/x.com]Pakistan with the Champions Trophy 2017 [Source: @BeautyPakistani/x.com]

1. Defending The Champions Trophy Title

Pakistan won the Champions Trophy 2017 under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed. In this edition of the tournament, Pakistan will be led by another wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Rizwan. The Asian team will have the opportunity to defend the title and become the second time to do so. 

2. Setting Up A Core Group Of Players

The Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025 has some inexperienced players and that could be a weakness for them in the campaign. However, the tournament will allow them to test these players in pressure situations and form a solid core of players who can serve them well for a few years. 

Threats For Pakistan Team In Champions Trophy 2025

Babar Azam has struggled as an opener in ODIs [Source: @Adeel__arain/x.com]Babar Azam has struggled as an opener in ODIs [Source: @Adeel__arain/x.com]

1. Babar Azam Batting Out Of Position As An Opener

Pakistan did not announce any opener in their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. The strategy of the team seems to be opening with their star batter, Babar Azam. However, this could backfire for Pakistan as Babar has found it hard to adjust as an opener. The star batter has scored only 89 runs in five innings at an average of 17.60 at the position. The numbers make it clear that Babar Azam as an opener could be a big threat for the Pakistan team as his failure might deter them from getting solid starts and laying a strong foundation.

Predictions For Pakistan In Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan have a good batting line-up and the home conditions advantage is with them. However, the have certain shortcomings in the team and that could cost them in he campaign. An overall analysis leads us to believe that the most Pakistan can go in the tournament is till the semifinals.