The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. With preparations in full swing, defending champions Pakistan are finalizing a balanced 15-member team to defend the title.
The Men in Green are said to be preparing their team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a full combination of seven batsmen, four fast bowlers, three spinners and one wicketkeeper.
Pakistan finalizes strong team to defend ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title
Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan will be the only wicketkeeper in their Champions Trophy team, with Usman Khan, who featured as a substitute gloveman during the ODI series in South Africa, missing out on the final squad for the upcoming prestigious tournament. .
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Their pace attack will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, with expected names Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, while Mohammad Hasnain is a strong contender as the fourth qualifier for the eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The spin department is likely to from Pakistan present Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Maqeem.
Shadab Khan, who is currently in Category C of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Central Contract for 2024-25, has made an inspiring return through domestic cricket, amassing 120 runs and claiming five wickets in the Cup of One-Day Champions, making him one of the strongest candidates for a position.
Fakhar Zaman will return for the 2025 Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman is also likely to return to the ODI set-up for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old, who has played 82 One-Day Internationals for Pakistan, had played a key role in Pakistan’s title win in 2017.
However, Fakhar Zaman needs to meet the fitness requirements set by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as part of his central contract to be named in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming multinational event at home and in the United Arab Emirates. United States, where only Indian matches will be played. held.
Notably, Fakhar Zaman was overlooked during Pakistan’s tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, but recently impressed with his performance in the Champions T20 tournament. He scored 303 runs in 10 matches at an average of 30.30, including two half-centuries.
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The Tribune Express reported that Fakhar Zaman, along with Shadab Khan and Imam-ul-Haq, are very likely to be included in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will begin when the hosts take on New Zealand in February. 19 in Karachi.
Pakistan hosts ICC tournament for first time since 1996
Notably, the ICC Champions Trophy is back after an eight-year hiatus, and the exciting 15-match tournament will return to the cricket calendar in 2025 after 2017. Defending champions Pakistan will host the ICC global event for the first time. time since 1996. It will be a neutral place for India.
The next Champions Trophy 2025 will be a 19-day competition in which eight teams will fight for the prestigious trophy in white jackets. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A includes Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan, while Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa are placed in Group B.