Pakistan ‘Submit’ initial squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan has submitted an initial squad of over 20 players for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is set to kick off on February 19, with Pakistan, the host and defending champions, facing New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee submitted the preliminary squad to the ICC two days ago, which includes opener Saim Ayub, despite his current injury in London following his setback during the second Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
The initial squad features notable names 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 by February 10, with some changes anticipated, including the unlikely inclusion of openers Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan.
