Here is your ready reckoner for Pakistan's prospects at the 50-over showpiece - team combination, chances to retain trophy and threats to their title defence
When it comes to the Pakistan team, expect the unexpected. Every cricket lover knows the dictum, and it especially rings true at the time of ICC tournaments, where the Men In Green's mercurial performances come to the fore. They are set to embark on another journey, this time as hosts and defending champions of the Champions Trophy. (More Cricket News)
The Mohammad Rizwan-led side have had to weather recent coaching instability, with Aqib Javed in charge in an interim capacity until after the Champions Trophy. They also suffered defeat twice at the hands of New Zealand, the team they will face in the tournament opener, in the home tri-series that preludes the 50-over showpiece. But like always, write Pakistan off at your own peril.
There has been criticism about team selection, but the holders have players who can be destructive on their day. Fakhar Zaman had wrecked India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, and could well turn out to be more dangerous than the more celebrated Babar Azam. Meanwhile, skipper Rizwan and designated finisher Salman Ali Agha are in superb form, which augurs well for them.
Saim Ayub's unfortunate injury has come as a setback, but there would be concerns around Babar's form too. Even in the recently concluded tri-series, his scores (10, 23 and 29) were underwhelming. But the 30-year-old remains ICC바카라™s top-ranked ODI batter and will shoulder much of the responsibility. Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah and Tayyab Tahir will also have to pull their socks up on big days.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf form a potent pace attack, but the pitches in Karachi and Rawalpindi might not necessarily be conducive to their bowling. In such a scenario, having just one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed appears to be risky. The only slow bowler in the side is Salman, but he is at best a part-timer.
The team would be eager to delight home fans, in what would be their first 50-over ICC tournament since Babar stepped down from captaincy at the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup. As always, all eyes will be on the marquee India vs Pakistan face-off, slated for February 23 in Dubai.
February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
February 23: Pakistan vs India, Dubai
February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
All Pakistan matches at ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be telecast live on the Star Sports network in India and streamed live on the JioHostar app and website in India.