Fakhar To Open, Babar At 3; Naseem Dropped? Pakistan's Strongest XI For 1st Champions Trophy Match

Pakistan will face NZ in 1st match of Champions Trophy [Source: AP]

On Friday evening, Pakistan had a forgettable day on the field as they lost the final of the ODI Tri-Series at home. This was Pakistan's final match before the Champions Trophy, where they will face New Zealand, Bangladesh and India in three high-voltage encounters. 

Although Pakistan lost the Tri-Series final, they have been impressive as an ODI team of late. The Men in Green have won eight of their twelve ODIs since 2024 and would like to sustain their dream run in the Champions Trophy. 

As they prepare for the marquee event, let's analyse and find out their strongest combination for the tournament opener against New Zealand on the 19th of this month. 

Usman Should Open With Fakhar, Babar Should Bat At 3

(Babar Azam and Usman Khan's stats as openers)

• Babar Azam was a complete failure as an opener in the ODI Tri-Series. Overall, he has opened in five ODI innings, scoring 88 runs at an average of 17.60. Number three is his natural batting position, where he has struck 5416 runs at an average of 60.18. 
• So, although Pakistan's head coach, Aaqib Javed, has hinted that Babar would continue to open, we reckon they should reconsider his batting position and allow him to play at his preferred number three slot. 
• In such a scenario, they must try Usman Khan, as the batter is naturally an opener and has enjoyed stellar success in the PSL. He can ensure brisk starts for Pakistan alongside Fakhar Zaman in the powerplay. It's quite obvious that Fakhar should be Pakistan's first opener, having owned that spot with scintillating performances over the years. 

Rizwan And Agha Salman: Pakistan's Mainstays At 4 And 5

(Rizwan and Agha Salman's stats at 4 and 5 in Tri-Series)

• Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman should be locked in as Pakistan's number four and five following their extraordinary returns at those positions, as evidenced by the table above. 
• While Rizwan can anchor the innings with his excellent strike rotation and stroke play, Salman can be handy with his off-spin, besides scoring valuable runs in the middle order. In 24 innings, the 31-year-old has scalped 16 wickets at a superb economy of 5.50. 

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Lower Middle Order: Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf

Experienced batter Tayyab Tahir has proved to be a solid player of pace and spin, having performed impressively in the lower middle order. In four ODI innings at 6, Tahir has amassed 101 runs at a magnificent average of 50.50 and a strike rate of 127.85. 

On the other hand, Faheem Ashraf should be preferred over Khushdil Shah for the all-rounder's role. In the Tri-Series final, Faheem struck crucial 22 runs, while Khushdil failed miserably as a finisher, scoring only 22 runs at an average of 11. So, Faheem, who also boosts Pakistan's seam-bowling stocks, should be slotted at number seven. 

Should Pakistan Drop Naseem Shah?

(Naseem Shah's stats in Tri-Series)

• Pakistan's experienced pacer, Naseem Shah, was mediocre in the ODI Tri-Series, managing only three wickets in as many outings. In fact, Naseem averages 36.85 while striking at a rate of 35.77 in ODIs since 2024. These numbers suggest he hasn't been at his best for quite a while now. 
• However, considering that Pakistan don't have a quality alternative for him in their squad, they should start with Naseem despite his rough patch. So, in all likelihood, Naseem will be in Pakistan's playing XI, with Shaheen, Rauf and Abrar Ahmed filling the remaining slots. 

Pakistan's Strongest Playing XI For 1st Champions Trophy Match vs New Zealand

Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf

P.S: If Haris Rauf doesn't recover from injury, Mohammad Hasnain should replace him in the XI. 

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