The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced its provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted in Pakistan. The squad blends seasoned players with promising young talent, signaling the team’s desire to balance experience with fresh innovation as they target the prestigious trophy.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been named the captain, while star batter Babar Azam remains a key figure in the squad. The team also includes seasoned players such as Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, who bring their proven international cricket credentials to the mix.
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In addition to the experienced campaigners, young talent such as Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan have earned spots in the provisional squad. Saim Ayub’s inclusion, however, is contingent upon his fitness, with PCB officials closely monitoring his recovery progress.
The full 17-member provisional squad includes:
– Mohammad Rizwan (C)
– Babar Azam
– Fakhar Zaman
– Imam-ul-Haq
– Saim Ayub (fitness pending)
– Agha Salman
– Tayyab Tahir
– Irfan Khan
– Kamran Ghulam
– Sufiyan Muqeem
– Abrar Ahmed
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
– Haris Rauf
– Mohammad Abbas
– Naseem Shah
– Abdullah Shafiq
– Usman Khan
– Haseebullah Khan
Although the list has been submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC), sources suggest that Abdullah Shafiq and Usman Khan are unlikely to make the final 15-player squad when the official list is announced.
The 2025 Champions Trophy marks Pakistan’s return as an ICC tournament host after many years. The tournament will feature the top eight ODI teams and is set to begin in February. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Pakistan will leverage home conditions in their bid for glory.
