Key batter ruled out as Pakistan name ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad

Pakistan have revealed the group tasked with their Champions Trophy title defence.

The proud cricketing nation won the most recent Champions Trophy event in 2017, the last time the tournament was played. On this occasion, Pakistan are hosting this 2025 edition, along with the UAE.

Mohammad Rizwan will lead the team, having done so since Babar Azam stepped down from the role after the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023. This is the first 50-over ICC tournament since then.

Rising star hitter Saim Ayub is a notable absentee, having sustained an ankle injury in Pakistan's New Year's Test in Cape Town, South Africa.

"We understand how much he was looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and recognise how devastating it must be for him to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form," Asad Shafiq, a member of the National Selection Committee explained.

"However, as a valuable asset to our team, we are committed to prioritising his long-term health over making any rushed decisions."

WATCH: Pakistan stun India to win Champions Trophy 2017

Top-order batter Abdullah Shafique has also missed the cut, paving the way for Babar to secure one of the top-order roles.

Veteran Fakhar Zaman is in the mix, having played a monumental role in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. He scored a maiden ODI ton (114 off 106 deliveries) at The Oval, London, as Pakistan beat India by 180 runs to claim the silverware. Also recalled are Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.

“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy," Shafiq said.

"Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence."

The same squad will feature in the tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in the leadup to the Champions Trophy.

Aaqib Javed will continue his role as Interim Coach, stepping in after Gary Kirsten's departure last October.

Pakistan squad: 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, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

WATCH: The iconic white jacket is back for Champions Trophy 2025

They'll play in the tournament opener against New Zealand, in Karachi, before hype reaches feverpitch for their hotly anticipated showdown with India in Dubai.

Pakistan's Group Stage Fixtures:

19 February - Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi

23 February - Pakistan vs India, Dubai

27 February - Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi

READ MORE - Every ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 Squad