Champions Trophy: Babur will open, Haris Rauf out? Pakistan will land with this strong playing XI in Champions Trophy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is about to come, every team is expecting a brilliant performance in the eight teams tournaments starting on February 19. One such team which will be the center of everyone’s eyes is the host Pakistan, which will be captained by Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan is entering the competition as the defending winner after winning the previous edition held in England in 2017. But will Pakistan be able to repeat the feat of 2017 this time, it will be a matter of view.
Pakistan’s strength
Pakistan has players who can change the game on a particular day. Fakhar Zaman, who returned to the ODI team after the 2023 World Cup, can change the game in one stroke. If Babar Azam returns to his good form, Pakistan will definitely feel good in making a big score. Captains Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Aga are in excellent form, which is a good sign for Pakistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nasim Shah, Haris Rauf (if fit for the tournament) and Mohammad Hasnain’s fast bowling gives the team a factor of trust and victory.
Pakistan’s weakness
Sam Ayub is out of ankle fracture and Abdullah Shafiq is out due to poor form, Pakistan has a new opening combination with Fakhar and Babur, which has not been able to perform well yet. The first ten overs are important to make a big score, so Fakhar-Babar’s opening combination is a weak link. In addition, Pakistan surprised everyone by choosing an expert spinner as Abrar Ahmed, who is likely to be injured. Neither Sufiyan Mukim nor Shadab Khan were chosen, it means that the balance of Pakistan team is a bit messed up. Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah’s lower order is another weak link because they have not done anything special at the international level.
After 29 years, Pakistan has a big chance
Pakistan last hosted a multi-nation cricket tournament in the 1996 World Cup, including the finals held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Now after 29 years, Pakistan is going to host the ICC event once again through the return of the Champions Trophy.
Although Pakistan will host 11 out of 15 matches at its three renovated sites in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, it is still a major achievement for a country that has attacked violent incidents, especially in March 2009 in March 2009 The reason is not hosting big sports events.
If Pakistan moves forward in activities both inside and outside the field during the Champions Trophy, it can pave the way for more sports events in the country struggling with economic and political instability.
This will have to be careful
As the host of the Champions Trophy, people from home and world will be watching the performance of Pakistan. Under this pressure, the teams may move forward, but it can weaken them under this pressure and can also out of competition quickly. Being unexpected tag with Pakistan means that their performance can go in any direction and it is a big danger to them.
Pakistan’s possible playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025 match: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Aga, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nasim Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 team: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Aga (Vice -captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Nasim Shah, Shaheen Afridi.