ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025: PAKISTAN ARE THE FAVOURITES TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT

Defending champions Pakistan will be aiming to present themselves as an able team to go out and keep hold of the ICC Champions Trophy. In 2017, Pakistan downed arch-rivals India to win the coveted global 50-over tournament.

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Defending champions Pakistan will be aiming to present themselves as an able team to go out and keep hold of the ICC Champions Trophy. In 2017, Pakistan downed arch-rivals India to win the coveted global 50-over tournament. The Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan side boasts of an intriguing blend of youth and experience. Pakistan host the tournament beginning on February 19. They are placed in Group A alongside the likes of India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Pakistan will miss the services of Saim Ayub, who is recovering from an ankle injury suffered during Pakistan's tour of South Africa. The Pakistan Cricket Board hasn't rushed Ayub and is rather playing the waiting game on his complete recovery. Another player who missed the cut is Abdullah Shafique, who was ignored. Fakhar Zaman, who starred in the Champions Trophy 2017, makes a return. He will lead the line upfront. Pakistan are set to play a tri-series at home as a build-up to the tournament. Notably, Pakistan are a force to be reckoned with. They are a confident group after having sealed recent memorable ODI series wins over the likes of Australia and South Africa away from home.

Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, we decode the strengths, weaknesses, and analysis of the Pakistan side.

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.

STRENGTHS OF PAKISTAN