Cricket fans, brace yourselves! The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the squad for the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI Series featuring New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

With the tournament set to kick off on February 19, Pakistan is aiming to put forth a formidable lineup, blending experienced players with emerging talent. Let’s take a deep dive into the squad selection, key changes, and what to expect in the upcoming cricketing spectacle.

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Key Squad Updates

Pakistan’s 15-member squad sees four key changes from the last ODI series played in South Africa.
✅ IN: Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Saud Shakeel
❌ OUT: Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim

Leading the side will be Mohammad Rizwan, with Salman Ali Agha appointed as his deputy.

A crucial highlight is the return of Fakhar Zaman, who was instrumental in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2017 victory, scoring a memorable century in the final against India. His recent performances in domestic tournaments, where he scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 132, have earned him a well-deserved recall.

Additionally, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah have been brought back to provide flexibility, reinforcing Pakistan’s batting and bowling balance.

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Pakistan Squad for the Tri-Nation Series & ICC Champions Trophy 2025

1️⃣ Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk)
2️⃣ Babar Azam
3️⃣ Fakhar Zaman
4️⃣ Khushdil Shah
5️⃣ Faheem Ashraf
6️⃣ Saud Shakeel
7️⃣ Naseem Shah
8️⃣ Tayyab Tahir
9️⃣ Salman Ali Agha (vc)
🔟 Shaheen Shah Afridi
1️⃣1️⃣ Kamran Ghulam
1️⃣2️⃣ Muhammad Hasnain
1️⃣3️⃣ Usman Khan
1️⃣4️⃣ Haris Rauf

💡 The squad includes three players from Pakistan’s 2017 title-winning side:
✔️ Babar Azam
✔️ Faheem Ashraf
✔️ Fakhar Zaman

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Pakistan’s Recent ODI Performance

Post the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan has played three ODI series and emerged victorious in all:
🏆 Defeated Australia 2-1
🏆 Defeated Zimbabwe 2-1
🏆 Defeated South Africa 3-0

This winning momentum gives Pakistan a strong foundation heading into the Champions Trophy, where they will face New Zealand in the tournament opener on February 19 in Karachi.

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What the Selection Committee Says

National Selection Committee member Asad Shafiq emphasized the horses-for-courses approach in picking the squad.

🗣 “Our focus has been on selecting players who have consistently excelled in domestic competitions. The team has the right balance between youth and experience, ensuring that captain Mohammad Rizwan has all the options he needs to dominate the tournament.”

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Tri-Nation Series & Champions Trophy Schedule

📅 Tri-Nation Series (February 8-14, 2025)
📍 Matches in Lahore & Karachi

📅 ICC Champions Trophy (February 19 Onwards)
📍 Pakistan to face New Zealand in the opening match at National Bank Stadium, Karachi

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Final Thoughts

With the squad finalized and preparations in full swing, Pakistan is gearing up for a thrilling tournament. Can they reclaim the Champions Trophy and repeat the magic of 2017? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Pakistan fans are in for a rollercoaster ride of cricketing action!