On Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a preliminary list of more than 20 players to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Sources have verified that the roster has numerous notable players alongside a blend of burgeoning talent.
The preliminary roster includes prominent individuals such as captain Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan Niazi. Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abbas Afridi, in addition to spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqim, are included in the preliminary team. Other significant entries are Abdullah Shafiq, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Hasibullah.
Promising young batsman Saim Ayub, whose fitness is still being evaluated, has also been included in the preliminary team.
According to sources, the final squad would be revealed by February 10, 2025, after the completion of the tri-series against South Africa.
The National Selection Committee has presented a 15-member lineup for the South Africa series, closely resembling the Champions Trophy team.
Insiders indicate that the final team will experience multiple alterations. It is reported that players such as Abdullah Shafiq and Usman Khan are unlikely to be included in the final selection.
According to ICC regulations, all competing teams are required to submit preliminary squad names one month prior to the competition. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 12, 2025, with final squad approvals anticipated just prior to the event.
