Pakistan 'finalising key decisions' for Champions Trophy squad

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been "holding consultations to make key decisions" related to the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set to begin next month.

Sources indicated that the team will first participate in a tri-nation series involving South Africa and New Zealand before heading to the tournament.

A critical decision pending is the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who is recovering from an ankle fracture.

If deemed fit, the same squad is expected to represent Pakistan in both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.

In the event of his unavailability, selectors have reportedly identified a replacement.

Out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are unlikely to make the cut, while Fakhar Zaman has secured a place.

The selection of Imam-ul-Haq and emerging talent Haseebullah is still under consideration.

The squad is expected to feature Pakistan's mainstays, including Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan.

On the bowling front, Pakistan will rely on its formidable pace trio —Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — along with Mohammad Hasnain.

Additional support will come from Kamran Ghulam, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.

Interestingly, Pakistan remained the only team yet to officially announce its squad for the upcoming tournament.

While preliminary names have been submitted to the ICC, the final squad must be confirmed by February 11. This leaves just a narrow window ahead of the tri-series, which kicks off on February 8.

It is pertinent to mention that the eight-team tournament, comprised of 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9, across three venues – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.

The eight teams are divided into two groups. Group A features Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B is comprised of Afghanistan, South Africa, England and Australia.

Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser on February 19 in Karachi, while the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

Champions Trophy Schedule

19 February, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan

20 February, Bangladesh v India, Dubai

21 February, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan

22 February, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan

23 February, Pakistan v India, Dubai

24 February, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

25 February, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

26 February, Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan

27 February, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

28 February, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan

1 March, South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan

2 March, New Zealand v India, Dubai

4 March, Semi-final 1, Dubai

5 March, Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan

9 March, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)

10 March, Reserve day

*All matches will be day-night encounters