Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Prepares Squad for Title Defense
The ICC Champions Trophy, often called the “Mini World Cup,” is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan and the UAE. Teams are finalizing their squads, with defending champions Pakistan gearing up with a well-balanced lineup.
Expected Pakistan Squad Composition
Pakistan is likely to field a squad comprising seven batters, four fast bowlers, three spinners, and one wicketkeeper. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan is expected to serve as the team’s sole wicketkeeper, while backup keeper Usman Khan, who was featured in the South Africa ODI series, is unlikely to be included.
Fast Bowling Unit
The pace attack is expected to feature:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Hasnain (vying for the fourth spot)
Spin Options
Pakistan’s spin department will likely include:
- Shadab Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Sufiyan Maqeem
Shadab Khan, retained under the PCB Central Contract 2024-25 (Category C), has shown resilience through strong domestic performances. His standout contributions in the Champions One-Day Cup (120 runs, five wickets) make him a strong contender for the squad.
Batters Set for Comebacks
Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman are anticipated to make significant returns among the batters.
- Imam-ul-Haq boasts an ODI career average of 48.27 and has excelled domestically, amassing 212 runs in the Champions One-Day Cup and 256 runs for the Lions in the Champions T20 tournament.
- Fakhar Zaman, with 82 ODIs under his belt, has shown his form recently by scoring 303 runs in the Champions T20 tournament, including two half-centuries.
Key Players for the Title Defense
The likely return of Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Fakhar Zaman bolsters Pakistan’s chances as they aim to defend their ICC Champions Trophy title successfully.
