Pakistan Squad For ICC Champions Trophy Announced: Fakhar Zaman Returns, Saim Ayub OUT

Pakistan Squad For ICC Champions Trophy Announced: Fakhar Zaman Returns, Saim Ayub Doubtful - Report

Written by : Faham Uddin Updated Jan 12, 2025, 21:25 IST

According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has submitted the preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. The squad sees the return of veteran batters Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq. Read More

Pakistan Squad For ICC Champions Trophy Announced: Fakhar Zaman Returns, Saim Ayub OUT (Source: AP)

Pakistan's 18-man preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy is out. While an official squad is yet to be confirmed by the PCB , a report in the Tribune revealed the squad. Fakhar Zaman made a return to the team after being left out of the Australia and South Africa tour. Fakhar was dropped from the team after he made a tweet in support of Babar Azam who was axed from the Pakistan squad for the final two Tests vs England. While the PCB said Fakhar was dropped for fitness concerns, the tweet played a role in Fakhar being on sidelines for a vital series against Australia and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Saim Ayub's name was missing from the squad, however, the report in Tribune mentioned that Ayub's name was added to the preliminary squad. Ayub is doubtful for the showpiece event after he picked up an ankle injury in South Africa. Ayub was rushed to London to treat his fractured ankle, however, the board confirmed that the opener would take at least six weeks to recover from the injury which puts him in race against time for the ICC Champions Trophy. Ayub has been a great addition to the Pakistan team with his flamboyant batting style. He was instrumental to Pakistan's win in the ODI series against South Africa where he smashed two centuries.

Meanwhile, Rizwan continues as captain of the squad that also saw Imam ul Haq return to the team. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah were picked in the squad along with Abbas Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain. Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, Sufyan Muqeem, Abdullah Shafiq, Usman Khan, Salman Agha and Hasibullah also made a cut to the preliminary squad.

Pakistan's Preliminary Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Sufyan Muqeem, Mohammad Hasnain, Abdullah Shafiq, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Hasibullah, and Abbas Afridi

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