Champions Trophy 2025 : Pakistan Announce Squad; Fakhar Zaman In, Saim Ayub Misses Out

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Champions Trophy 2025 : Defending champions, Pakistan have finally announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy on Friday 31st January, exactly 20 days before the start of the tournament.

The ICC set January 12th as the deadline for submitting provisional squads for the upcoming Champions Trophy. While most teams had announced their squads ahead of time, India requested an extension.

Ultimately, India revealed their 15-member squad for the tournament. The ICC also granted teams the flexibility to make changes to their rosters until February 13th.

Saim Ayub, Pakistan's talented batter has failed to make the cut after failing to recover in time from the ankle injury he sustained during the 2nd Test against South Africa.

The Men in Green have brought back the explosive Fakhar Zaman, who played a key role in their 2017 Champions Trophy victory over India with a match-winning century.

Saud Shakeel, who has scored 317 runs at a solid strike rate of 89.8 in 15 ODIs, has also been included in the squad led by Mohammad Rizwan. Notably, Abdullah Shafique, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Abbas Afridi have been left out. While Muqeem and Afridi are seen as promising yet inexperienced, Shafique's exclusion follows a tough run of three consecutive ducks as the opener in the South Africa T20Is.

The squad has selected just one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, although other players like vice-captain Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, and Khushdil Shah can provide part-time spin options.

The remaining batting lineup, spearheaded by Babar Azam, along with the pace attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, follows the anticipated selections. Usman Khan has been named as the backup wicketkeeper to Rizwan.

Pakistan will have the opportunity to make any final adjustments to the squad by February 11.

Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (C), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (VC), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi