What changes should PCB make to their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad?

[The Bald Eagle]

Basit Ali lambasted on PCB over their choices for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad:

"Is this some kind of book cricket? What are you doing?"

"You are playing without an opener and you have made Babar Azam an opener. Go for specialists,"

"You won't like this statement, but you should learn from the Indian team management. (Yashasvi) Jaiswal sat out after one match. When Virat (Kohli) didn't play, they brought in (Shreyas) Iyer, and when Iyer performed, he retained his place,"

"(Rishabh) Pant, who in my opinion, is one of their main players, is sitting out. You cannot select guys on the basis of BPL (Bangladesh Premier League) performances"

"It is my request, please do something. Please take an opener and spinner with you in the squad,"

 

[W63L35]

Rumor is that Imam and Sajid are being included in the squad.

I personally would like to see Sufian....in place of Faheem.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Rumor is that Imam and Sajid are being included in the squad.

I personally would like to see Sufian....in place of Faheem.

Less than 3 hours left

 

[jamie smith]

tomorrow day is also left

Less than 3 hours left

 

[Devadwal]

tomorrow day is also left

No .only 3.5 hour left from now on and PCB would have already send the letter to ICC technical committee .they will most likely announced the changes if there are any .

 

[jamie smith]

No .only 3.5 hour left from now on and PCB would have already send the letter to ICC technical committee .they will most likely announced the changes if there are any .

dont think any changes have been made

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Less than 3 hours left

Think Feb 12th is the deadline

 

[jamie smith]

no they can change their squad till 12 feb

No .only 3.5 hour left from now on and PCB would have already send the letter to ICC technical committee .they will most likely announced the changes if there are any .

 

[Devadwal]

no they can change their squad till 12 feb

The deadline to announce final ICC Champions Trophy squad is February 11.

 

[jamie smith]

Yeah u are right.My bad.

The deadline to announce final ICC Champions Trophy squad is February 11.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Drop Faheem Ashraf and call in Mohammad Waseem

 

[Kianig89]

So the deadline over and we are sticking with same squad , seems Aaqib and Rizwan are very confident

 

[jamie smith]

Fingers croosed.
1 hour is still left.
It is pak they will keep u imagining till the last moment and pull off some changes.

So the deadline over and we are sticking with same squad , seems Aaqib and Rizwan are very confident

 

[W63L35]

In the 2 matches of Tri-Series..... spinners have outperformed the pacers.

Our genius selectors and team analysts are blind or what? India is coming with 3 spinners.

 

[mon858]

Ok it's all over. Only injury can get us a replacement now...

 

[Barragan]

Usama Mir and Sufiyan Muqeem?

Two mediocre spinners

Usama Mir isn't good enough for ODI's and got pounded in the world cup

Sufiyan got hammered by the Saffers

Those two would make the squad even worse

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Usama Mir and Sufiyan Muqeem?

Two mediocre spinners

Usama Mir isn't good enough for ODI's and got pounded in the world cup

Sufiyan got hammered by the Saffers

Those two would make the squad even worse

Have you seen sufiyan bowl the guy got all the tricks to beat the batsmen in flight.

 

[Barragan]

Have you seen sufiyan bowl the guy got all the tricks to beat the batsmen in flight.

Yeah, all the tricks that don't work and instead gets hit around

Useless tricks

 

[Rana]

Yeah, all the tricks that don't work and instead gets hit around

Useless tricks

He’s not ready. Guy needs lots of time

 

[gazza619]

Lets back the boys now. Pakistan is one win away from getting confidence back

 

[cricketAXEpert]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but debates over controversial selections and tactical gaps have sparked calls for revisions before the February 12 deadline. With Pakistan aiming to defend their title on home soil, here’s a breakdown of potential changes to optimize the squad:

1. Reassess the All-Rounder Roles

The inclusion of Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf has drawn criticism due to their inconsistent international records. Khushdil averages just 14.3 in ODIs with no half-centuries, while Faheem’s batting average of 10 and bowling average of 47 raise concerns about his utility.

2. Strengthen the Spin Department

The squad includes only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, despite Pakistan’s reliance on spin-friendly home conditions. This leaves the team vulnerable if Abrar underperforms or gets injured.

Recall Usama Mir or Sufyan Muqeem (dropped from the previous squad) to bolster spin options. Mir’s recent domestic form (e.g., 15 wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup) could provide critical support.

3. Address the Opening Conundrum

While Fakhar Zaman’s return is a boost, his partner remains uncertain. Babar Azam is not a regular ODI opener, and Saud Shakeel lacks experience in the role.

What do you think? Should PCB make any changes to their CT2025 squad?

Share your opinions and suggestions

Khushdil is a tried and tested failure and Faheem Ashraf has failed far more than he ever performed. Both should be out. A 2nd spinner is needed for sure. Sufyan Muqeem or Even Sajid Khan (he can bat a bit). Who should be the 2nd opener? is also an issue since we have such a long tail. Maybe we can try Tayyab as the second opener.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Mad how all sorts of names are being thrown around, players who have yet to play a single international game…why would you pick them for a major tournament?

I can understand if it’s a bowler that’s bowling 150+, but we’re talking about players that won’t even light up the PSL.

 

[Barragan]

He’s not ready. Guy needs lots of time

Yeah, he has potential but nowhere near ready

If Pakistan want a left arm leggie, then Faisal Akram is more ready for international level

 

[TeymurBlake]

Changes that I would probably make is

Aamer Jamal for Faheem Ashraf

Khurram Shehzad for Mohammad Hasnain

Nauman Ali/Sajid Khan for Usman Khan

An opener for Khushdil Shah

You need an opener in this team to move Babar back to No.3 & need to play a spinner. Sufiyan Muqeem would be a good option, but for me is still raw. Nauman Ali & Sajid Khan would offer more control.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. An Opener
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Rizwan (C + WK)
5. Saud Shakeel/Tayyab Tahir
6. Agha Ali Salman (VC)
7. Aamer Jamal
8. Nauman Ali/Sajid Khan
9. Abrar Ahmed
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Haris Rauf

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Knowing the circus this board is and how it's run, they haven't and wouldn't have made any changes to the squad they announced a week or so back.

 

[khyberlion]

Mad how all sorts of names are being thrown around, players who have yet to play a single international game…why would you pick them for a major tournament?

I can understand if it’s a bowler that’s bowling 150+, but we’re talking about players that won’t even light up the PSL.

You have no problem with Usman who hasn't played an odi to replace Babar yet calling others mad.

 

[khyberlion]

Yeah, he has potential but nowhere near ready

If Pakistan want a left arm leggie, then Faisal Akram is more ready for international level

Faisal Akram is equally poor.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I think Usman and Faheem can be replaced here...

 

[Devadwal]

I think Usman and Faheem can be replaced here...

The ship has already sailed so now it's better to Back them instead criticized.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The ship has already sailed so now it's better to Back them instead criticized.

Yep. Ship has sailed but anyone can get injured.

 

[RidiculousMan]

I think Usman and Faheem can be replaced here...

Can they really make changes today?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Can they really make changes today?

Nay... time is gone...

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan has made no change in their squad.. Do you think that it is a wise move???

 

[Major]

This also proves how much fake news spreads

on social media that sufiyan was confirmed he did similar stuff during the 2023 world cup aswell.

 

[Slim]

We badly need another spinner in the squad. One of faheem/khushdil needs to be dropped at least. Ideally both. Has the deadline passed?

 

[YousafTheBeast]

You have no problem with Usman who hasn't played an odi to replace Babar yet calling others mad.

Yes, there’s a difference between a meaningless Tri-series and a major ICC event.

I said, play Usman for Babar vs South Africa. Do you not want your bench to be prepared for the CT?

 

[khyberlion]

Yes, there’s a difference between a meaningless Tri-series and a major ICC event.

I said, play Usman for Babar vs South Africa. Do you not want your bench to be prepared for the CT?

Fair enough. I thought you were alluding to him replacing Babar for CT too.

 

[Barragan]

Faisal Akram is equally poor.

He is way ahead of Sufiyan Muqeem - that's for sure

 

[shah9425]

Babar is not fit for opening

 

[khyberlion]

He is way ahead of Sufiyan Muqeem - that's for sure

We need to see the faisal Akram which you are seeing. The one I see is as poor as sufiyan.

 

[jamie smith]

Please draft Akif in place of chucker Hasnain

 

[BouncerGuy]

Changes cannot be made now. The train has left the station until someone gets injured. The only way to draft someone in the squad now...