Pakistan have announced their squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with new batting star Saim Ayub left out due to injury and Fakhar Zaman, who last featured in ODIs in the 2023 World Cup, recalled.
All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah have also been recalled after lengthy absences, with neither playing for Pakistan in any format since 2023. Wicketkeeper Usman Khan, a frequent part of the T20I setup, is the one player uncapped in ODIs in the squad.
Ayub, who made two centuries in Pakistan’s most recent ODI series in South Africa, fractured his ankle on the first morning of the Test leg of that tour, and has not recovered in time to be selected.
“Saim Ayub has not been included in the squad due to an ankle injury, but we remain optimistic about his recovery,” said selector Asad Shafiq. “We understand how much he was looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and recognise how devastating it must be for him to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form. However, as a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritising his long-term health over making any rushed decisions.”
Zaman shot to prominence in the last edition of the Champions Trophy back in 2017, making a century in the final as Pakistan downed arch-rivals India at The Oval. He went onto establish himself as a white-ball regular, but hasn’t played for Pakistan since the 2024 T20 World Cup. He was issued a show cause notice by the PCB late last year after protesting against their decision to drop Babar Azam, but his inclusion suggests there is no lingering ill-will between him and the governing body.
Mohammad Rizwan will captain the side, with Salman Ali Agha serving as his deputy.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir
All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain)
Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Usman Khan
Spinner: Abrar Ahmed
Fast bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
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