If there is one word to describe Pakistan cricket team, it’s unpredictable. They can completely dominate the world champions one day, and on another, they might lose to the USA. But that’s the task we’ve taken upon ourselves. To predict how Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will look like.
This would have been very difficult until a couple of weeks ago. But, with the schedule for the 8-team tournament out and Pakistan scheduled to play just 3 more matches before the event kicks off on February 19, things will be slightly easy. Not to forget that the Men in Green beat South Africa 3-0 a mere 3 days ago, so their team is more or less settled.
Fakhar Zaman returns
Abdullah Shafique just scored three consecutive ducks and is expected to be dropped from their ODI and Test sides. Shafique might still travel with Pakistan as a reserve. Saim Ayub, who’s emerging as one of the best batting talents in the world, will continue up top and will be joined by veteran Fakhar Zaman.
Head coach Aaqib Javed rates the southpaw highly, and now that he’s back to fitness and on good terms with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), he’ll walk back into the team. One mustn’t forget Zaman was the ‘Man of the Match’ in the Champions Trophy 2017 Final against India and has shown he can turn up when it matters the most.
Babar Azam & Rizwan in the top & middle-order
Babar Azam, Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Rizwan will be the top and middle-order batters for Pakistan. Only five batters in the history of ODI cricket have scored more runs at number 3 than Babar. He’s Pakistan’s safest bet there.
Usman Khan will miss out with Irfan, Tayyab, and Kamran getting preference over him. All three were part of the South Africa and Zimbabwe tours. Tayyab has a great List A record, Irfan is Pakistan’s best fielder right now, and Kamran, apart from sizzling in the 2nd ODI with a 32-ball 63, can bowl handy left-arm orthodox spin. As back-up wicketkeeper for Rizwan, Pakistan will play 21-year-old Haseebullah Khan, who is rated very highly and, as of now, averages over 51 in List A cricket.
Need for Aamer Jamal
Without counting Kamran and Saim, Pakistan will have two all-rounders. These will be Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal. Agha has won the 1st South Africa ODI on his own and averages 81.50 in the series. He also took 5 wickets in the series. Jamal played in Zimbabwe and offers something that no other player does right now. He might walk into the XI but definitely deserves a place. Pakistan might have a backup for him in Mohammed Wasim Junior, who played in the ODI World Cup last year and did well.
Shaheen-Naseem-Haris with Abrar & Sufiyan
Apart from part-timers and all-rounders, Pakistan will have two spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem. Both wrist spinners played in South Africa and troubled the Proteas batters. On dry wickets of Pakistan, they’ll be extremely handy. As for pacers, barring Jamal, we’ll see the trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf play for Pakistan. They are tried and tested pacers who know how to bowl in their backyard. Mohammad Hasnain could be added to the reserves in case one of their primary pacers is injured.
Pakistan’s predicted squad for ICC Champions Trophy
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Haseebullah Khan (wk) Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem
Traveling reserves: Mohammad Hasnain, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammed Wasim Jr.
