Pakistan crew celebrating their victory towards South Africa. — AFP
LAHORE: Forward of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for subsequent month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entered the ultimate stage of session to substantiate the squad for the marquee occasion.
Sources indicated that the crew will first take part in a tri-nation collection involving South Africa and New Zealand earlier than heading to the event.
A crucial choice pending is the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who’s recovering from an ankle fracture.
If deemed match, the identical squad is anticipated to signify Pakistan in each the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.
Within the occasion of his unavailability, selectors have reportedly recognized a substitute.
Out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are unlikely to make the lower, whereas Fakhar Zaman has secured a spot.
The choice of Imam-ul-Haq and rising expertise Haseebullah continues to be into consideration.
The squad is anticipated to characteristic Pakistan’s mainstays, together with Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan.
On the bowling entrance, Pakistan will depend on its formidable tempo trio —Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — together with Mohammad Hasnain.
Further help will come from Kamran Ghulam, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and younger spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.
Curiously, Pakistan remained the one crew but to formally announce its squad for the upcoming event.
Whereas preliminary names have been submitted to the ICC, the ultimate squad have to be confirmed by February 11. This leaves only a slender window forward of the tri-series, which kicks off on February 8.
It’s pertinent to say that the eight-team event, comprised of 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9, throughout three venues – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.
The eight groups are divided into two teams. Group A options Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, whereas Group B is comprised of Afghanistan, South Africa, England and Australia.
Hosts Pakistan will tackle New Zealand within the curtain-raiser on February 19 in Karachi, whereas the blockbuster conflict 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, Last, Lahore (until India qualify, when it is going to be performed in Dubai)
10 March, Reserve day
*All matches can be day-night encounters
