PCB Names 15-Member Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Saim Ayub misses out, Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah return

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the much-awaited squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 and the tri-nation series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.
The squad reflects a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, with notable changes due to injuries.
Rising star Saim Ayub has been ruled out due to an ankle injury sustained during a Test match in South Africa. His absence has opened the door for Fakhar Zaman’s return to the ODI setup, alongside Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel, who have been included to bolster the batting lineup.
Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Saud Shakeel recalled; Babar Azam, Faheem and Fakhar only members of the side that won the title at The Oval in 2017
“The selectors have continued to adopt a horses-for-courses approach in assembling this squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Our focus has been on selecting players who have consistently excelled in domestic competitions under similar conditions, demonstrating their readiness to perform in a global event,” says national selector Asad Shafiq
“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” says Asad Shafiq
The same squad is to feature in the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan 15-Member Squad:
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir
All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain)
Wicketkeeper-batters: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Usman Khan
Spinner: Abrar Ahmed
Fast bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
The tri-nation series will kick off on February 8, with Pakistan facing New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium.
After the tri-series, the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to kick off on February 19 and will be played until March 9.
Matches will be held across three venues in Pakistan — Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi — and in Dubai, featuring 15 thrilling encounters between the eight participating teams.
ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule:
19 February: Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
20 February: Bangladesh v India, Dubai
21 February: Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
22 February: Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan
23 February: Pakistan v India, Dubai
24 February: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
25 February: Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
26 February: Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan
27 February: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
28 February: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
1 March: South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan
2 March: New Zealand v India, Dubai
4 March: Semi-final 1, Dubai
5 March: Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
9 March: Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, else it will be played in Dubai)
10 March: Reserve day
*All matches will be day-night encounters