Pakistan has officially submitted its initial squad of over 20 players for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025. The tournament opener will feature host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the iconic National Stadium in Karachi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee finalized and submitted the preliminary squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC) just two days ago. Notably, the squad includes rising star Saim Ayub, who is currently in London recovering from an injury sustained during the second Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.

The initial squad also features some of the biggest names in Pakistan cricket, including:

• Captain Mohammad Rizwan
• Star batsman Babar Azam
• Prominent bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf
• Young talents such as Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan Niazi

Other notable players include Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Abrar Ahmed, among others.

Expected Changes

While the list provides a strong lineup, the final squad will be announced on February 10, 2025, and could feature notable changes. Sources suggest that openers Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan may not make it to the final cut.

International Developments

Meanwhile, India’s chances in the tournament may suffer as their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, is likely to miss the league stage due to back swelling. This is a significant setback for India, given Bumrah’s critical role in their bowling attack.

With thrilling matches and intense rivalries on the horizon, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a cricketing spectacle for fans worldwide.