Fakhar Zaman Returns; No Saim Ayub? Pakistan's Likely Champions Trophy Squad Revealed
Fakhar Zaman back in the Pakistan team? [Source: @swahaj28/X.Com]
The proposed squad for Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 has been decided, with key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi included in the side. However, the biggest boost for the defending champions is the inclusion of star opener, Fakhar Zaman, as the batter is likely to open the innings for the Pakistan side. According to Cricket Pakistan, the squad has been finalised, but the official announcement is yet to be made.
The Pakistan cricket is waiting for the injury report on Saim Ayub. The PCB is in direct consultation with the doctors and once his status is known, the board will officially announce their team.
Saim suffered an ankle injury during the first Test Vs South Africa, and was immediately taken to the hospital where he was advised 6-weeks bed rest. The PCB made arrangements for the opener to fly to London for further consultations.
Fakhar Zaman returns to the side
With Saim Ayub's chances of playing in Champions Trophy looking weak, the board has decided to included their best performer from last Champions Trophy in the squad. Fakhar scored a century Vs India in the Champions Trophy 2017 finals and won the tournament for his nation.
However, due to recent tweets in support of Babar Azam, PCB took strict actions against the opener and he was not picked in the recent white-ball tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Abdullah Shafique gets axed?
Pakistan have also brought in Imam-ul-Haq back in the side and with Fakhar also there, the board has decided to exclude Abdullah Shafique from the side. The opener had a horrendous white-ball season in 2024 and as a result, the PCB decided not to include him in the side.
Pakistan's reported team for Champions Trophy 2025
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Maqeem, Irfan Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Haseebullah, and Imam-ul-Haq.