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No Saim Ayub; Fakhar, Saud In, Pakistan's Reported Squad For ICC Champions Trophy

Debashis Sarangi

PCB will announce Pakistan's squad soon [Source:  @SalmanAsif2007/X]PCB will announce Pakistan's squad soon [Source:  @SalmanAsif2007/X]

To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy is all set to kickstart on February 19. While seven participating teams have unveiled their respective squads, Pakistan have yet to announce their team for the marquee event. 

Shafique To Be Dropped, Saim Still Not Fit For Champions Trophy

However, according to Cricketpakistan.com.pk, the PCB will soon announce Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy, which will likely be similar to the team that will partake in the ODI Tri-series at home. 

The report claims that the hosts will likely drop three key players- Abdullah Shafique, Sufiyan Muqeem and Abbas Afridi from their squad. While Shafique recorded three consecutive ducks as an opener in the South Africa T20Is, Muqeem and Abbas have a collective experience of one ODI. 

Meanwhile, the report also states that Pakistan's injured opener Saim Ayub hasn't recovered from the ankle injury he sustained during the second Test against South Africa. Therefore, in all likelihood, he might not make it into Pakistan's Champions Trophy Squad. 

Fakhar To Return; Saud, Khushdil Probable Surprise Entries In Champions Trophy Squad

The report states that Pakistan will likely pick Saud Shakeel and Khushdil Shah in order to strengthen their batting lineup in the Champions Trophy. In 15 ODIs, Saud Shakeel has amassed 317 runs at a healthy strike rate of 89.8. On the other hand, Khushdil Shah has played ten ODIs, scoring 199 runs at a strike rate of 94.8. 

On the other hand, veteran batter Fakhar Zaman will likely make his much-awaited return to Pakistan's ODI team for the Champions Trophy. The swashbuckling batter is an outright match-winner at the top order and can fill Saim Ayub's void if the latter gets ruled out of the event. 

Rizwan, Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, Rauf To Form Pakistan's Core In Champions Trophy

Meanwhile, skipper Mohammad Rizwan will spearhead Pakistan's batting with Mr. consistent Babar Azam, with Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha playing the supporting roles in the middle order. 

Ace speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi will likely lead Pakistan's bowling unit with the experienced duo of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, while Mohammad Hasnain and Abrar Ahmed will likely fill the remaining slots. 

Pakistan's Reported Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Khushdil Shah