Pakistani gamers celebrating wicket throughout second one-day worldwide between Pakistan and South Africa, Cape City, South Africa. — December 19, 2024.  Saim Ayub dropped from Pakistan squad as a result of harm.Saud Shakeel earns place over “consistent performances”.Identical 15-member squad to function in tri-nation collection.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced on Friday the much-awaited squad for the upcoming ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 and the tri-nation collection, that includes Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Based on a press release issued by the cricket board, there are 4 adjustments within the 15-player squad that final performed an ODI collection in South Africa late final 12 months.
Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub and Sufyan Moqim have been changed by Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel.
The squad, to be captained by Mohammad Rizwan with Salman Ali Agha as vice-captain, contains three members from the 2017 title-winning facet — Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf and Fakhar Zaman.
Babar and Fakhar, together with Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Saud Shakeel had additionally featured within the final 50-over ICC occasion — the ICC Males’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2023.
Opener Fakhar Zaman, who scored a century within the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 ultimate in opposition to India, makes a comeback after overcoming harm and sickness that had sidelined him from worldwide cricket since June 2024.
Fakhar demonstrated his return to finish health and kind throughout the Champions T20 Cup 2024 in December, the place he was the third-highest run-scorer with 303 runs at a formidable strike-rate of over 132. In 82 ODIs, Fakhar has scored 3,492 runs with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries at a median of 46.5 and strike-rate of 93.4.
Pakistan Check vice-captain Saud Shakeel has been rewarded for his constant and powerful performances in dwelling Exams by incomes a spot within the facet. The left-hander performed his fifteenth and final ODI in opposition to England in Kolkata within the ICC Males’s 50-over World Cup 2023 however has scored 577 runs in 13 Check innings at dwelling this season with two centuries and two half-centuries in opposition to Bangladesh, England and the West Indies
All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah return to the 50-over squad, including versatility and offering captain Mohammad Rizwan with extra choices.Â
Faheem’s thirty fourth and final ODI was in September 2023 and since then he has been probably the most constant home performers throughout all codecs, whereas Khushdil final represented Pakistan in ODIs in August 2022 and has earned the selectors nod after scoring 176 runs within the Champions One-Day Cup in addition to scoring 132 runs and taking 9 wickets within the Champions T20 Cup.
The PCB has till 11 February to make any adjustments to the squad; thereafter, replacements will solely be permitted on medical grounds, topic to approval by the ICC Occasion Technical Committee.
The identical squad may also function within the tri-nation ODI collection, that includes New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore and Karachi, within the lead as much as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The collection will kick off on February 8, with Pakistan dealing with New Zealand on the Gaddafi Stadium.
After the tri-series, the Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on February 19 and can run till March 9.
Matches will likely be held throughout three venues in Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi — and in Dubai, that includes 15 thrilling encounters between the eight taking part groups.
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 and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 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: Ultimate, Lahore (until India qualify, else it is going to be performed in Dubai)
10 March: Reserve day
*All matches will likely be day-night encounters
