Pakistan has submitted an initial squad of over 20 players for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on February 19. The tournament will kick off with hosts and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee finalized and submitted the preliminary squad to the ICC two days ago. Notably, opener Saim Ayub, currently in London receiving treatment for an injury sustained during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town, is included in the list.
The initial squad features key players such as 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 several changes anticipated. The inclusion of openers Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan appears uncertain.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team faces a significant setback as fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the group stage of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to back swelling sustained during the Sydney Test against Australia. Bumrah has also been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against England.
