LAHORE: Ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entered the final stage of consultations to confirm the squad participating in the marquee event.
The sources indicated that the team will first participate in a triangular series that includes South Africa and New Zealand before heading to the tournament.
There is a crucial decision pending, which is the inclusion of Saim Ayoub, who is recovering from a broken ankle.
If deemed fit, the same team is expected to represent Pakistan in both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.
In his absence, selectors have reportedly identified a replacement.
Openers Abdullah Shafiq and Usman Khan are unlikely to feature in the match, while Fakhar Zaman has secured a place.
The selection of Imam Al-Haq and the emerging talent Hasibullah is still under study.
The team is expected to include Pakistan mainstays, including Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir and Irrfan Khan.
On the bowling front, Pakistan will rely on their formidable trio – Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf – along with Mohammad Hasnain.
Additional support will come from Kamran Ghulam, Abrar Ahmed, and young player Sufyan Muqeem.
Interestingly, Pakistan remained the only team to not officially announce their squad for the upcoming tournament.
While the initial names have been submitted to the ICC, the final squad must be confirmed by February 11. This leaves only a narrow window before the trilogy series, which kicks off on February 8.
It is worth noting that the tournament, which includes eight teams and consists of 15 matches, will be held from February 19 to March 9, in three stadiums – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.
The eight teams are divided into two groups. The first group includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while the second group includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi, while the showdown between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled to take place on February 23 in Dubai.
Champions Cup schedule
February 19, Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
February 20, Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
February 21: Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
February 22: Australia vs. England, Lahore, Pakistan
February 23, Pakistan vs India, Dubai
February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 25: Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 26: Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan
February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
February 28: Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
March 1: South Africa vs. England, Karachi, Pakistan
March 2, New Zealand vs India, Dubai
March 4, Semi-Final 1, Dubai
March 5, Semi-Final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
March 9, Final, Lahore (unless India qualifies, the match will be played in Dubai).
March 10, Reserve Day