Former cricketer Kamran Akmal has named his Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy 2025. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were included in his squad.
Saim Ayub was injured during the Test series against Pakistan in South Africa and from that moment on he retired from any professional cricket. The PCB decided to send Ayub to London for proper treatment, but his chances of winning the championship trophy were slim.
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has been away from the team for a long time. He was dropped from the Pakistan squad for the ODI series in Australia after speaking out against the board.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB orders appointment of Sarfaraz Ahmed as 'mentor' to crush India
Kamran Akmal includes Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub vying for trophy
Kamran Akmal took to social media to select 15 players from the Pakistan team for the upcoming Champions Trophy match. This is a strong team, but it depends on the health of some players.
My squad of 15 people🇵🇰 #CT2025
1. Farhar Zaman
2. Saim Ayoub
3. Babar Azam
4.M.Rizwan(c)
5. Salman Ali Agha
6. Kamran Ghulam
7. Aamir Jamal
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi
9. Haris Rauf
10. Naseem Shah
11. Abra Ahmed
12. Imam Haq
13. Sufyan Muqwem
14.M. Irrfan Khan Niazi
15.M. Husnan
What's yours?— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) January 15, 2025
There were not many surprises for the team as wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan was elected as the team captain. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Imam-ul-Haq are the three starting players in the team. While Fakhar and Imam are in good health, Ayub's health is a major concern for the Men in Green.
The middle order looks solid, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan likely to come in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. Kamran Ghulam, who scored a brilliant hundred in his first Test, has also found a place in the team, as has big-hitting Irfan Khan Niazi in this way.
Salman Ali Agha, who is currently the vice-captain of the team, provides the required balance to the team through his quality off-spin bowling. Salman has been one of Pakistan's best performers across formats over the past few months.
Bowling has strong attack power
The bowling line-up looks strong, with Shaheen Afridi leading the charge. Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf are the three frontline fast bowlers in the team, while Mohammad Hasnan and bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal are the fast bowlers in the reserve side.
Left-arm China bowler Sufiyan Muqeem and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed are listed as the two specialist spinners in the team. The balance of the team looks good, but it all depends on Saeem Ayoub's fitness now.
Pakistan will begin its Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The Men in Green will then travel to Dubai for a much-anticipated match against arch-rivals India. India and Pakistan are in Group A along with Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Kamran Akmal leads Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Sam Ayyub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Irrfan Khan Niazi, Amer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Mukwem , Imam-Muhammad Hasnan Haq
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