Which players should be part of Pakistan's 15-member squad in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

[gazza619]

Since Saim is out, I would bring Saud Shakeel in at 4 and Rizwan pushed up as an opener.

Mohammad Rizwan
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Saud Shakeel
Kamran Ghulam
Tayyab Tahir
Salman Agha
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Abrar Ahmed

Salman and KG bowl 5 overs each.

If Saim is unfit then I would open with Shan & Fakhar

 

[gazza619]

If Saim isnt in the xi then I will play Shadab at 7 as Agha and Shadab can be the 5/6 bowling option. Also wasim Jnr over Husnain.

It seems like we have forgotten the uselessness of ????

 

[gazza619]

Genuinely though I think this will be Pakistan's playing 11

1) Fakhar
2) Imam/Hurraira/ Shan
3) Babar Azam
4) Rizwan
5) Kamran Ghulam
6) Salman Ali Agha
7) Tayyab Tahir
8) Shaheen
9) Naseem
10) Rauf
11) Abrar

12) Irfan Khan Niazi
13) Sufiyan
14) Husnain
15) Saud Shakeel (I think Usman Khan will be dropped for saud, if not then Usman Khan it is)

I think you have picked one bowler short in the squad of 15. I have a feeling we will see the useless back

 

[YousafTheBeast]

If Saim is unfit then I would open with Shan & Fakhar

Why though? You have a T20 opener but you won’t open with him in ODI’s?

Saud Shakeel is a better option at 4 than Rizwan.

Rizwan will be more effective at the top, rather than coming in at 4 and slowing everything down and putting pressure back on to the team.

 

[gazza619]

Why though? You have a T20 opener but you won’t open with him in ODI’s?

Saud Shakeel is a better option at 4 than Rizwan.

Rizwan will be more effective at the top, rather than coming in at 4 and slowing everything down and putting pressure back on to the team.

An ODI opener should be someone who can score big hundreds or at least is capable of scoring big hundreds. Agreed on Saud at 4.

Riz should drop down to 5/6.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Has the squad not been announced yet ?

 

[mominsaigol]

I think you have picked one bowler short in the squad of 15. I have a feeling we will see the useless back

As long as Aqib is around, it won't happen

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Iftikhar is looking solid with bat and ball in BPL.

With Saim injured we should bring him in as batter + 6th bowling option.

 

[Devadwal]

Has the squad not been announced yet ?

Which is going to happen first - Pakistan announced the champion trophy team or Pakistani grounds ready for the champion Trophy?

 

[Devadwal]

Iftikhar is looking solid with bat and ball in BPL.

With Saim injured we should bring him in as batter + 6th bowling option.

Iftikhar is useless . Agha can Play better role than Washout player like iftikhar .

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Iftikhar is useless . Agha can Play better role than Washout player like iftikhar .

You need 15 players in the squad.

Agha is VC so is already picked but we need cover and bench strength.

 

[gazza619]

As long as Aqib is around, it won't happen

But if you need to drop a batter from your squad and pick a bowler, who would that be?

 

[Devadwal]

You need 15 players in the squad.

Agha is VC so is already picked but we need cover and bench strength.

Bench strength - One WK , one spinner ,one Batsman and A Pacer.

Fakhar
Shan/ Imam
Babar
Saud/ if pakistan want to play Irfan/ Taiyab than one of of them can play at 7 .
Rizwan
Kamran
Agha
Abrar/ Sufiyan
Naseem
Shaheen
Rauf

I'll play Saud as agha/ Saud easily can give 10 over combined .

 

[mominsaigol]

But if you need to drop a batter from your squad and pick a bowler, who would that be?

Why would I need to drop a batter and pick a bowler? I am firm on my belief that this will be the squad chosen

 

[jamie smith]

every world cup finds a way through,what will be the case this time??

 

[gazza619]

Why would I need to drop a batter and pick a bowler? I am firm on my belief that this will be the squad chosen

Like i said earlier you are a bowler short. You cant go into a major tournament with just 6 bowlers in a squad of 15.

Aquib / Riz are smart enough to know this.

 

[Hyder]

Iftikhar is looking solid with bat and ball in BPL.

With Saim injured we should bring him in as batter + 6th bowling option.

I ll pick khushdil over him as of now

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I ll pick khushdil over him as of now

Khush is looking good but the last time he played international in Pakistan he left the field and cried in dressing room due to crowd taunts. Will he be able to handle the pressure of a home iCC tournament? Better to phase in gently.

 

[mominsaigol]

Like i said earlier you are a bowler short. You cant go into a major tournament with just 6 bowlers in a squad of 15.

Aquib / Riz are smart enough to know this.

Are they? These are the same people who made farhan a t20 opener?

 

[Kianig89]

Openers
Saim Fakhar Shan

Middle.order
Babar, KG, TT , Irfan

Bits & Pieces
Agha, JK

WKs

Rizwan, Any one of @Rana favourite

Bowlers

SSA, Rauf, Naseem, Abrar, Sufyan

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Khushil and Sajid deserve a run now.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

You need 15 players in the squad.

Agha is VC so is already picked but we need cover and bench strength.

Why would a top order batter be replaced by a lower order batter?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Why would a top order batter be replaced by a lower order batter?

He won't be a direct like for like replacement.

But he can fulfil the role of batting plus bowling a few overs.

 

[gazza619]

Are they? These are the same people who made farhan a t20 opener?

What does Farhan getting picked in T20s have anything to do with this.

We are discussing the argument of carrying fewer bowlers in a major ODI tournament.

None of the teams will pick only 6 frontline bowlers.

 

[mominsaigol]

What does Farhan getting picked in T20s have anything to do with this.

We are discussing the argument of carrying fewer bowlers in a major ODI tournament.

None of the teams will pick only 6 frontline bowlers.

Wait and watch

 

[gazza619]

Wait and watch

Get your apology ready.

 

[shamaan]

It seems like we have forgotten the uselessness of ????

You cant have Agha bowling 10 overs each game.

 

[shamaan]

Iftikhar is looking solid with bat and ball in BPL.

With Saim injured we should bring him in as batter + 6th bowling option.

who is that 6th bowling option+ batter ?

 

[gazza619]

You cant have Agha bowling 10 overs each game.

Shadab cant bat or bowl. Might as well pick a specialist batter or bowler in his place

 

[shamaan]

Shadab cant bat or bowl. Might as well pick a specialist batter or bowler in his place

Which specialist batter bats at 7?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He won't be a direct like for like replacement.

But he can fulfil the role of batting plus bowling a few overs.

I think PAK will need the extra top order batter in the squad especially if the only proven and in form opener needs replacement

 

[gazza619]

Which specialist batter bats at 7?

Agha is our number 7 anyway.

In principle I agree with you that it is good to have a player who can share the bowling work load with Agha, but playing Shadab will mean that we will get 5 rubbish overs and a useless little knock down the order.

My point is to take a risk and either play a genuine batter who can score some runs or a genuine bowler who can take wickets when needed.

 

[shamaan]

Agha is our number 7 anyway.

In principle I agree with you that it is good to have a player who can share the bowling work load with Agha, but playing Shadab will mean that we will get 5 rubbish overs and a useless little knock down the order.

My point is to take a risk and either play a genuine batter who can score some runs or a genuine bowler who can take wickets when needed.

But then you cant have someone who has never played international cricket or have little experience play in a major tournament.If they ain't considering Shadab then Khushdil should be considered or Saud but he has to bat at 4 otherwise no point playing him.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is around the corner and with multiple players and new comers shining of late, what do you guys reckon to be the best squad combination for the team green in the upcoming mega tournament partially to be hosted in Pakistan.

Pakistan's potential 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up to be a blend of experience and youth. Key players likely to be included are:

Besides these names making round on social media which players should be excluded or included in this list

Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-keeper captain)
Fakhar Zaman
Imam-ul-Haq
Abdullah Shafiq
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Nawaz
Shaheen Afridi
Naseem Shah
Haris Rauf
Usama Mir
Abrar Ahmed
Mohammad Amir
Agha Salman
Zaman Khan

Contenders for the final spot include Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Haris, depending on form and fitness

Amir is retired.

 

[gazza619]

But then you cant have someone who has never played international cricket or have little experience play in a major tournament.If they ain't considering Shadab then Khushdil should be considered or Saud but he has to bat at 4 otherwise no point playing him.

Agreed. Though Khushdil is also a bits & pieces cricketer but considering his recent performances its worth trying him again in the tri series.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

Squad of 15 for Retaining the CT

Fakhar
Saim if fit / Saud to open if not.
Imam ul haq
Babar
Riz
KG
Salman Ali
Jahandad
Faheem
Khushdil
Was Jr
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf
Abrar

The 3 in form players currently are Faheem , Jahandad and Khushdil.

AJ and Muqeem reserves.

KG , Salman Ali and Saud to bowl spin if needed.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Update in my squad: Saim's replacement should be Shan.

1. Saim / Shan
2. Fakhar
3. Abdullah

4. Babar
5. Tayyab
6. Irfan

7. Rizwan (WK) (C)

8. Salman Agha
9. Kamran Ghulam
10. Aamer Jamal

11. Shaheen
12. Naseem
13. Rauf

14. Abrar
15. Faisal / Muqeem

 

[RidiculousMan]

Genuinely though I think this will be Pakistan's playing 11

1) Fakhar
2) Imam/Hurraira/ Shan
3) Babar Azam
4) Rizwan
5) Kamran Ghulam
6) Salman Ali Agha
7) Tayyab Tahir
8) Shaheen
9) Naseem
10) Rauf
11) Abrar

12) Irfan Khan Niazi
13) Sufiyan
14) Husnain
15) Saud Shakeel (I think Usman Khan will be dropped for saud, if not then Usman Khan it is)

They missed such a big trick by not integrating Aamer Jamal in the ODI setup. He could've been that perfect no. 7 all rounder which you could play when you need pace all rounder at 7. Would also give cushion to Salman to share the load of 5th bowler when playing.

Bowling combination looks tough for Pakistan right now without Saim. Unless they are willing to sacrifice their batting.

I think that's why we are hearing rumors of Shadab being added. I honestly think Shadab doesn't deserve it.

 

[mominsaigol]

They missed such a big trick by not integrating Aamer Jamal in the ODI setup. He could've been that perfect no. 7 all rounder which you could play when you need pace all rounder at 7. Would also give cushion to Salman to share the load of 5th bowler when playing.

Bowling combination looks tough for Pakistan right now without Saim. Unless they are willing to sacrifice their batting.

I think that's why we are hearing rumors of Shadab being added. I honestly think Shadab doesn't deserve it.

I agree with you but jamal won't ve selected.

The 15 I've named, I'm 110% sure that Pakistan will take this squad. Max 1 to 2 changes but I'm sure that 90% of the listed names are going.

 

[RidiculousMan]

I agree with you but jamal won't ve selected.

The 15 I've named, I'm 110% sure that Pakistan will take this squad. Max 1 to 2 changes but I'm sure that 90% of the listed names are going.

These are locked 100%

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Rizwan
4. Salman
5. Kamran
6. Niazi
7. Naseem
8. Shaheen
9. Rauf
10. Abrar

 

[mominsaigol]

These are locked 100%

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Rizwan
4. Salman
5. Kamran
6. Niazi
7. Naseem
8. Shaheen
9. Rauf
10. Abrar

1) Fakhar
2) Babar
3) Rizwan
4) Agha
5) Abrar
6) Shaheen
7) Naseem
8) Rauf
9) Kamran
10) Niazi

^^ 100% locked

10) Saud
11) Imam

^^ Dependant and conditional upon their performance in wi test but I'm 100% certain saud will replace Usman Khan in the squad and Imam will replace saim. Saim won't make it in ct.

12) Tayyab
13) Husnain
14) Sufiyan
15) ????

^^ Most likely they'll go.

 

[Hyder]

He

Khush is looking good but the last time he played international in Pakistan he left the field and cried in dressing room due to crowd taunts. Will he be able to handle the pressure of a home iCC tournament? Better to phase in gently.

He should ve continued in odis honestly but we mix formats. He is better player than tayyab tahir if he is going to bat at 7.
Khushdil and Agha can bowl 10 overs between them and saim plus saud/kamran ll also be in team

 

[shamaan]

Agreed. Though Khushdil is also a bits & pieces cricketer but considering his recent performances its worth trying him again in the tri series.

I think its abit late to give him a chance now but let's see what Pakistan do.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

When will Pakistan announce the CT 2025 squad?