LAHORE: Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entered the final stage of consultation to confirm the squad for the marquee event.

Sources indicated that the team will first participate in a tri-nation series involving South Africa and New Zealand before heading to the tournament. A critical decision pending is the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who is recovering from an ankle fracture. If deemed fit, the same squad is expected to represent Pakistan in both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy. Out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are unlikely to make the cut, while Fakhar Zaman has secured a place. The selection of Imam-ul-Haq and emerging talent Haseebullah is still under consideration. The squad is expected to feature Pakistan’s mainstays, including Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan. On the bowling front, Pakistan will rely on its formidable pace trio -Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf - along with Mohammad Hasnain. Additional support will come from Kamran Ghulam, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.