Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the UAE. The squad sees the return of Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Saud Shakeel, and Faheem Ashraf.
The PCB has until February 11 to make any changes to the squad, after which substitutions will only be permitted on medical grounds with approval from the ICC’s technical committee.
This squad will also compete in the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa in Karachi and Lahore ahead of the tournament.
Squad Changes
The 15-player squad includes four changes from Pakistan’s last ODI series in South Africa. Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, and Sufiyan Muqeem have been replaced by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.
Pakistan’s 15-Member Squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain)
- Salman Ali Agha (Vice-Captain)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Tayyab Tahir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Khushdil Shah
- Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Key Player Returns
- Fakhar Zaman, who scored a match-winning century in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final against India, returns after missing international action since June 2024 due to illness and injury. He last played a T20I against Ireland in June 2024 and an ODI against England in November 2023. Fakhar impressed in the Champions T20 Cup 2024, scoring 303 runs at a strike rate of over 132.
- Faheem Ashraf last played an ODI in September 2023, while Khushdil Shah last represented Pakistan in August 2022.
Champions Trophy 2025 Format & Fixtures
The ICC announced the tournament schedule on December 24, 2024. Matches will be played under a hybrid model, with some hosted in Pakistan and others in the UAE.
- The opening match will take place in Karachi on February 19 between Pakistan and New Zealand.
- The much-anticipated Pakistan vs. India clash is set for February 23 in Dubai.
- The final will be held on March 9.
Pakistan will aim to capitalize on home advantage and repeat their historic 2017 Champions Trophy victory.
