The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Hosts Pakistan have announced their preliminary squad. Two stars Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have been brought back into the 18-man squad. Both have been overlooked in Pakistan’s white-ball cricket for some time.
Pakistan are the current champions of the Champions Trophy. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Pakistan team won the trophy for the first time in the ICC event, beating India by 180 runs in the 2017 final in London.
Fakhar Zaman was the hero of the final victory with an innings of 114 runs. Keeping that in mind, this experienced batsman has been included in this year’s Champions Trophy team.
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Fakhar faced the wrath of the board after speaking out in support of Babar Azam after he left the captaincy. He was dropped. The PCB also gave importance to Imam-ul-Haq’s experience. He was also brought back into the initial 18-man squad.
Pakistan are the champions of the 2017 Champions Trophy.
PCB had its eye on Saim Ayub. But the eye-catching batsman has been ruled out for six weeks after sustaining an injury in the Test against South Africa. If he recovers in time, Saim will be included in the 15-man squad.
Mohammad Rizwan will be the captain of Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. Along with experienced cricketers like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, newcomers like Sufian Mukim, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha have also been included in the team.
Pakistan’s preliminary squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Babar Azam, Taib Tahir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Sufian Mukim, Mohammad Hasnain, Abdullah Shafiq, 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.
crifosports/14January25/AZ
