Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan’s predicted squad

Pakistan will have a lot riding on them as they are the joint hosts of the Champions Trophy 2025. They will be playing an ICC event at their home for the first time since 1996. After a series of chops and changes both in the team and the management, the team has not found its groove yet and their adaptability over a longer term has become a point of concern for both fans and former cricketers alike. 

Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the captain, and he has done well be leading them to T20I series win in Australia and Zimbabwe. They will feel an immense moral boost after thrashing South Africa by 3-0 in the recently concluded ODI series. 

Pakistan's bowling attack was one of the major reasons they failed miserably at the ODI World Cup in 2023, and the Men in Green will look to come afresh come the eight-team tournament. With that said, let's delve deep into their probable squad for the event.

Pakistan's Predicted Squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Top-order: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Irfan Khan

Saim Ayub’s ankle injury has become a cause of concern, but the management is leaving no stones unturned to get back their striking opener back to the field. Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique has solidified his position in the team as an opener who can anchor the innings if there’s an early setback. Star batter Babar Azam was going through a rough patch, but the batter maintained his individual scores at around 30s and 40s. He scored a couple of half centuries in the second Test against South Africa and looked in good touch. Irfan Khan entered the Pakistan team on the back of a strong domestic record. He is known to construct crucial partnerships in the middle when the team loses early wickets.

Middle order: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Tayyab Tahir, Kamran Ghulam

Captain Mohammad Rizwan has had a good outing as a captain after leading the team in the limited overs. He will be crucial in the middle order, as he is known to take the game deep and build partnerships. Kamran Ghulam is just 10 ODIs old, and the batter promises to be a talent to watch for. He commenced his career with a century in his debut Test against England. Tayyab Tahir just played one game in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. And was underwhelming in T20I series. Known as a big hitter, he could be crucial when acceleration is needed.

All-rounders: Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan’s middle order lacks experience, but the management might show faith in Usman Khan for his explosive batting and straying away from conservative approach. However, Salman Ali Agha is the only preferred all-rounder in the squad and mantle would be on him to deliver with the bat and the balls while reducing the burden on the captain to field an extra spinner. As a result, Usman Khan may only be restricted to being Agha's backup.

Bowlers: Mohammad Hasnain, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Bowling has always been the USP of the team, but the same department had let them down in the last 50-over ICC event in 2023. Along with the established pacers such as Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, it would be interesting to see how young Mohammad Hasnain fairs with his raw pace. The spinning department might comprise Sufiyan Muqeem and Usama Mir, who will have their first-hand experience playing on the grandest stage.

Pakistan probable squad for Champions Trophy 2025:

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wicketkeeper), Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Naseem Shah