Pakistan has submitted an initial squad of over 20 players for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to kick off on February 19. As both hosts and defending champions, Pakistan will play against New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has shared the preliminary squad with the ICC, which includes opener Saim Ayub, who is currently in London receiving treatment for an injury sustained during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Notable players in the initial squad include captain Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Sufyan Maqeem, Mohammad Hasnain, Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Hasibullah, and Abbas Afridi.
The final squad is expected to be announced on February 10, with speculations about possible changes, including the potential exclusion of openers Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan.
Meanwhile, India has faced a setback as premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the league stage of the tournament due to back swelling incurred during the Sydney Test against Australia. Bumrah has also been ruled out of the T20I series against England.
