“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors, such as conditions, opposition and match strategy,” said a statement from Asad Shafiq, a member of the selection panel. “Both players are very skilled at the top of the order, where Babar is especially spiced up in the role, which regularly opens in T20i’s and also stands out in the Cape Town test by scoring two half a century in Saim Ayub’s absence.”

The team also retains its pace-heavy element, which saw Pakistan win three consecutive ODI series at the end of last year. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain are all part of the last 15, with only one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed. None of Sufiyan Muqeem, who made four wickets on his debut in the only ODD he was playing, or Shadab Khan, who was captain of his side to the Champions Cup Glory in September, has made the final clip.

Irfan Khan, who became the eye of the selection committee as a key component of Pakistan’s middle order and the veteran of his field, also falls out. Faheem’s return comes out of the back of the limited ODI -cricket after having a indifferent Champions Cup in September. However, strong views with bats in the President Cup in October seem to have played a role in serving him what seemed to be an unlikely recall.

Pakistan’s first match at Champions Trophy will be against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, after which they go to Dubai to play against India. They play their last group game against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan teams to Champions Trophy 2025

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (Capt, WK), Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem