The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Pakistan's 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin February 19. There is a chance for the final squad for tournament to be changed till February 19.

Mohammed Rizwan is going to be the leader of the team for the mega event, along with Saim Ayub, who got injured during the first Test match against South Africa missing the spot as he is on his recovery time.

'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 on Saim Ayub's absence.

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

Top-order batter Abdullah Shafique also missd out as he made way for Babar to secure one of the top-order role. Seasoned star Fakhar Zaman has been named in the squad as well.

'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 absenc,' he further said.

Pakistan team will enter the tournament as the defending champions, and will start their campaign as they face New Zealand on Friday 19 in Karachi. After the Blackcaps, Pakistan will face historic rival India in the second league match, followed by facing Bangladesh for their third league match.

Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Tayyab Tahir, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan.