Yesterday was the last day to submit the squads for Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan has submitted its 15-man squad as well. This is what the squad looks for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Let’s break down their strengths, weaknesses with stats, and the most effective playing XI.
🟢 Squad Strengths (With Stats & Analysis)
1. Dominant Opening Batters:
Babar Azam: 875 runs in the last 20 ODIs (avg 54.7) – backbone of the batting line-up. The only issue is that Babar Azam fixed and best performing number is, batting at number 3.
Fakhar Zaman: Powerplay strike rate of 98.5, dangerous against new-ball bowlers.
If these two can make a good powerplay total and establish a good base for the middle-order batters, they will easily chase high totals and also set high targets as well. On the other hand if one of these, especially Babar Azam gets out early it will be a massive blow to Pakistani batting lineup.
2. Deadly Pace Attack:
Shaheen Afridi: 19 wickets in his last 10 ODIs, lethal in powerplays.
Naseem Shah: Economy of 4.8 in powerplays, swing expert.
Haris Rauf: 12 wickets in his last 6 matches, proven death-over specialist.
No doubt this bowling attack is one the world's best, it has swing factor early on, express pace and a lot passion for the game. Recently, on the Australia and South Africa tour, the positives was Shaheens pace getting back and Harif Rauf taking wickets in the middle overs and death overs. One major problem this bowling attack has is leaking a lot of runs. In this Tri-Series against New Zealand and South Africa, except from Haris who is leading with the best economy, both Naseem and Shaheen are not even Top 10 bowlers with best economy. So the skill is there, they just need to keep control of leaking a lot of runs.
🛑 Squad Weaknesses (With Stats)
1. Fragile All-Rounder Department:
Faheem Ashraf: Bowling average of 47 and batting strike rate below 80.
Khushdil Shah: Strike rate under 80 in his last 10 ODIs, form concerns.
PCB did a great job on the Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa tour by giving chance to youngsters like Irfan Khan, Aamer Jamal and Haseebullah before the Champions Trophy to prepare them in advance. These guys were also playing a key role and getting used to the their positions, but eventually the board as always decided to go with old players like Faheem and Kushdil just on the basis of their Bangladesh Premier League performance, which by the way is T20 format.
2. Lack of Spin Options:
Only Abrar Ahmed as a specialist spinner, a big risk on spin-friendly tracks. Every team has included at least two specialist spinners, because sometimes in Pakistan, the pitches can be dry and slow and thats when you need specialist spinners to control the middle overs. Unfortunately PCB had other plans and thought.
Regardless the critics, this is now the final squad, so let's see how Pakistan can line up with the options they have.
🏏 Ideal Playing XI for Champions Trophy
1. Fakhar Zaman: Explosive opener to exploit powerplays.
2. Babar Azam: Stable presence
3. Saud Shakeel: Controls middle overs and counters spin.
4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & WK): Anchor and tactical captain.
5. Salman Ali Agha: Finisher and part-time spinner.
6. Tayyab Tahir: Power-Hitting to increase the runs.
7. Khushdil Shah: Lower-order hitter (subject to form).
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi: New-ball strike bowler.
9. Naseem Shah: Swing expert for powerplays.
10. Haris Rauf: Death-over specialist.
11. Abrar Ahmed: Key spinner to exploit middle overs.
🧠 Strategic Approach for Success
Use Shaheen and Naseem upfront to get early wickets.
Unleash Haris Rauf in middle overs & death overs for breakthroughs.
Rely on Abrar Ahmed & Agha Salman for spin control on slower pitches.
Let Fakhar Zaman play with attacking intent, while Babar builds the innings.
🏆 Final Verdict
While the squad has strengths in pace and batting, weak spin depth and inconsistent all-rounders could hurt chances. Success will depend on effective team balance and form management. Remember that Pakistan is the most unpredictable team in this tournament, no matter how impossible things might seem, they always find a way to impress everyone. So let's hope 🙏 that they defend the trophy and become the Champions on home soil.