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Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has put all speculation to rest regarding the fitness of Haris Rauf, confirming that the star pacer is fully fit and ready to deliver in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

For the unversed, Haris Rauf left the field during the 36th over of the tri-nation series opener against New Zealand after bowling 6.2 overs due to a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region.

“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand,” PCB shared in a statement.

“The injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February.”

Mohammad Rizwan, while speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, provided clarity on Rauf’s recovery process.

“Haris Rauf bowled 80% yesterday, and now he is bowling in full rhythm. He is fit and available for the team,” Rizwan stated.

Rizwan also emphasized the importance of senior players stepping up, especially in high-pressure tournaments like the Champions Trophy.

“Being a senior player means taking responsibility. We have to lead from the front,” he remarked, highlighting the expectations placed on experienced players like himself, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Afridi.

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“We know there’s room for improvement, and we are working on it. No player is perfect, but our intention is to keep learning,” he added.

Rizwan also praised the efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in preparing Pakistan’s stadiums for the mega event.

“Our stadiums have been prepared in record time. We shouldn’t doubt our capabilities,” he asserted.

With the Champions Trophy set to kick off, Rizwan made it clear that the entire squad is focused on one goal: bringing the trophy home.

“It’s not just me and Babar who want to win the title; every player in the squad wants this, and so does every Pakistani,” Rizwan concluded.

For the unversed, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a game against New Zealand on February 19.

They will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: PCB explains absence of Indian flag at Champions Trophy venues

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has expressed confidence in his fitness ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to commence on Wednesday in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Rauf returned to a practice session days after suffering an injury scare during the recently concluded tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa.

While talking to the media on the sidelines of the practice session, Rauf appeared confident about his fitness, stating that the team management would decide whether he would play against New Zealand in the tournament opener.

“I am feeling better than before. I have practiced for two days and bowled today,” said the pacer.

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“Personally, I am satisfied with my fitness and not feeling any pain, but the final decision rests with management whether I will play against New Zealand or not,” remarked Rauf.

The fast bowler reflected on Pakistan’s bowling unit and the strategy of playing with three fast bowlers and one front-line spinner.

“Our bowling unit is not limited to only one spinner. We also have Khushdil Shah and Agha Salman, who play a part in the match as spinners depending on the conditions,” explained the speedster.

For the unversed, the pacer sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during their opening game of the tri-series against New Zealand.

Later, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called up left-arm fast bowler Akif Javed to replace Haris Rauf in the tri-nation ODI series.

“The replacement is only for the tri-nation ODI series, as Haris Rauf is expected to be fully fit and available for selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” a PCB spokesperson said at the time of the announcement.

The Pakistan pacer seemed to have recovered from his injury as he bowled in the team’s practice session in Karachi.

The right-arm quick sprinted during the practice session and bowled alongside pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain.

READ: WATCH: Bangladesh’s jersey for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 revealed

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday revealed that the additional tickets for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches scheduled in UAE will open today.

According to the ICC, additional tickets will be available for group-stage India matches and Semi-final 1 which are taking place in Dubai.

“Additional tickets for the three group-stage India matches and Semi-final 1 at the Champions Trophy 2025, which are taking place in Dubai, UAE, will go on sale today,” the ICC said in a press release.

Tickets will be available for India’s opening group match with Bangladesh on February 20, while there will also be tickets available for their games against arch-rival Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2) at the eight-team tournament.

The mega event final tickets- to be played on Sunday 9 March will be available for purchase after the conclusion of the first semi-final in Dubai.

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Additionally, there will also be limited tickets available for semi-final 1 which will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 4.

For the unversed, the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: Salman Ali Agha eyes Champions Trophy glory in hometown Lahore

READ: Babar Azam achieves major milestone during New Zealand clash

It’s worth noting that New Zealand qualified for the final on the back of their dominant victories over Pakistan and South Africa.

In the opening match, Glenn Phillips struck an unbeaten 106 off 74 to help the Kiwis defeat Pakistan, while in their second match star batter Kane Williamson’s century steered them to victory over South Africa.

Meanwhile, Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets in the third match, courtesy of captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s centuries, to qualify for the tri-nation series final.

READ: Virat Kohli reacts to Rajat Patidar’s appointment as captain

DUBAI: Pakistan players Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam were penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday for breaching the Code of Conduct during the tri-nation ODI series clash against South Africa.

Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets, courtesy of captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s centuries, to qualify for the tri-nation series final against New Zealand.

However, the first innings of the match witnessed some heated moments, which resulted in Pakistan players getting penalised.

During the 28th over of South Africa’s innings, Shaheen Afridi deliberately obstructed batter Matthew Breetzke as he ran a single, resulting in physical contact and a heated exchange between the two players.

Consequently, Shaheen was fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.

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Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10 percent of their match fees for celebrating too closely to batter Temba Bavuma following his run-out in the 29th over.

Both players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the Code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

In addition to the financial penalties, all three players have received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records. None of the players had any prior offences in the last 24 months.

All players have accepted the sanctions imposed and there will be no formal hearings regarding the incidents.

READ: We are going to Champions Trophy to become champions: Najmul Hossain Shanto

KARACHI: Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman’s sublime centuries powered Pakistan into the tri-nation series final, as they defeated South Africa by 6 wickets at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan successfully chased the daunting total of 353 runs in 49 overs on the loss of four wickets, courtesy of brilliant batting from the above-mentioned pair.

It was also Pakistan’s highest successful run chase in an ODI match, surpassing their 349-runs against Australia in Lahore in 2022.

Rizwan remained unbeaten on 122*, while Salman scored 134 off 103 deliveries before getting out. His innings feature two big sixes and 16 elegant fours.

Pakistan began with an explosive performance, driven by the outstanding batting of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, who together scored 57 runs in just the first six overs. Azam was dismissed after contributing 23 runs from 19 balls, while Zaman accelerated to a brisk 41 off 28 deliveries.

However, the home team stumbled a bit, reaching 91-3 at the end of the powerplay as South Africa struck twice in quick succession. Wiaan Mulder dismissed Saud Shakeel (15), putting Pakistan under pressure.

Following the quick wickets, Rizwan and Agha Salman revived Pakistan’s chase against South Africa. The duo shattered the record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Pakistan in ODIs, adding 260 runs.

Salman departed in the second last over while Mohammad Rizwan remained not out ensuring his team crossed the finish line comfortably.

Agha Salman was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant batting. Pakistan will now play against New Zealand in the tri-nation series final here on Friday.

Wiaan Mulder bagged two wickets for South Africa, while Lungi Ngidi also claimed one wicket.

Earlier, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, and Heinrich Klaasen struck dominant half-centuries to power their team to 352-5 in their 50 overs.

After opting to bat first, Bavuma gave his team the desired start, stitching a 51-run opening partnership with Tony de Zorzi (22).

Matthew Breetzke joined Bavuma at the crease after the first wicket and added 119 runs for the second wicket to take the team’s total to 170 before the Proteas captain fell courtesy of a run-out.

South Africa’s captain departed after scoring 82 runs from 96 balls with the help of 13 boundaries.

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Heinrich Klaasen joined Breetzke, and they attacked Pakistan bowlers, scoring 68 runs in 56 balls before Khushdil Shah removed the former.

Wiaan Mulder (2) fell prey to Shaheen before Kyle Verreynne, and Klaasen added a quick 78 runs from 48 balls for the fifth wicket.

Heinrich Klaasen scored 87 runs from 56 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and three sixes before Naseem Shah ended his stay at the crease.

Verreynne (44*) and Corbin Bosch (15) took their team’s total to 352-5 in their 50 overs.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Khushdil Shah bagged one each.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman’s sublime centuries drive Pakistan into the chase against South Africa. The Men in Green chased the daunting total in style with six wickets remaining.

PAK 355/4 (49 Overs)

48.6: Ngidi to Tayyab Tahir, FOUR runs, full on the stumps, and Tahir seals it with a boundary through covers. Pakistan has qualified for the final

PAK 343/3 (48 Overs)

Shamsi continues

PAK 337/3 (47 Overs)

Ngidi back into the attack

PAK 328/3 (46 Overs)

Shamsi continues

PAK 321/3 (45 Overs)

Mulder continues

PAK 305/3 (44 Overs)

Shamsi continues

PAK 297/3 (43 Overs)

42.1:  Rizwan, SIX brings up his hundred! A length ball at the stumps and Rizwan smashes it over deep midwicket. A hundred off 106 balls. This has been some knock in a crucial match

Mulder is back

PAK 283/3 (42 Overs)

Shamsi back into the attack

PAK 280/3 (41 Overs)

Maharaj continues

PAK 271/3 (40 Overs)

Ngidi continues

PAK 264/3 (39 Overs)

Maharaj continues

PAK 258/3 (38 Overs)

Ngidi returns to the attack

PAK 246/3 (37 Overs)

Maharaj back into the attack

PAK 243/3 (36 Overs)

Bosch bowls the 35th over

PAK 232/3 (35 Overs)

Mulder continues

PAK 220/3 (34 Overs)

Bosch continues

PAK 213/3 (33 Overs)

Mulder continues

PAK 207/3 (32 Overs)

31.2: 6th fifty in ODI cricket for Salman…

Corbin Bosch into the attack

PAK 198/3 (31 Overs)

Mulder returns to the attack

PAK 192/3 (30 Overs)

Muthusamy continues

PAK 184/3 (29 Overs)

Maharaj continues

PAK 175/3 (28 Overs)

Muthusamy continues

PAK 171/3 (27 Overs)

Maharaj continues

PAK 168/3 (26 Overs)

Change in the bowling. Senuran Muthusamy comes into bowl

PAK 163/3 (25 Overs)

Maharaj Continues

PAK 159/3 (24 Overs)

23.6: Shamsi to Salman, FOUR runs. It’s an expensive over from the spinner. Ten runs from it!!

PAK 149/3 (23 Overs)

Maharaj into his fourth over

PAK 143/3 (22 Overs)

Shamsi continues

PAK 138/3 (21 Overs)

Maharaj continues

PAK 132/3 (20 Overs)

19.5 : Shamsi to Salman, FOUR runs

PAK 126/3 (19 Overs)

Maharaj bowls the second over of his spell

PAK 119/3 (18 Overs)

Shamsi into his second over

PAK 116/3 (17 Overs)

Maharaj continues

PAK 114/3 (16 Overs)

Shamsi continues

PAK 109/3 (15 Overs)

PAK 104/3 (14 Overs)

It’s time for some spin. Tabraiz Shamsi will be bowling for the first time in the innings.

PAK 102/3 (13 Overs)

Wiaan Mulder to continue his bowling spell

PAK 96/3 (12 Overs)

Lungi Ngidi back in the attack

PAK 91/3 (11 Overs)

10.4: Another wicket for Mulder!! Zaman perished after well-made 41. Pakistan in trouble now!!

Fakhar Zaman 41 (28b 6×4 1×6) SR: 146.42

PAK 91/2 (10 Overs)

9.4: Another wicket!! Saud Shakeel is gone. Short-pitched ball around the off-stump line tried to pull it away over the on-side fences but could not get the elevation!

Saud Shakeel 15 (16b 2×4 0x6) SR: 93.75

Corbin Bosch to bowl the last over of the powerplay

PAK 78/1 (9 Overs)

Mulder to bowl the ninth over

PAK 72/1 (8 Overs)

Bosch continues the eighth over

PAK 64/1 (7 Overs)

6.1: Big wicket as Babar trapped in front!! Length ball darted on the off stump, jagged back in, and thuds the pads; Babar tried to negate it to the on-side, cramped for space and failed to connect.

Babar Azam 23 (19b 4×4 0x6) SR: 121.05

Change in the attack. Wiaan Mulder to bowl the seventh over

PAK 56/0 (6 Overs)

Bosch to bowl the sixth over

PAK 45/0 (5 Overs)

Ngidi to bowl the fifth over

PAK 39/0 (4 Overs)

Bosch to bowl the fourth over

PAK 25/0 (3 Overs)

Ngidi continues

PAK 15/0 (2 Overs)

Corbin Bosch to bowl from the other end

PAK 13/0 (1 Over)

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam comes out to open the innings for Pakistan. Lungi Ngidi to bowl the first over for South Africa.

PAKISTAN vs South Africa (2nd INNINGS)

KARACHI: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, as well as Matthew Breetzke and Heinrich Klaasen, struck dominant half-centuries to power their team to 352-5 in the tri-nation ODI series clash against Pakistan here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday

SA 352/5 (50 Overs)

Hasnain to bowl

SA 333/5 (49 Overs)

Khushdil to bowl penultimate over

SA 326/5 (48 Overs)

Naseem Shah bowls

SA 318/4 (47 Overs)

Hasnain to bowl 47th over

SA 306/4 (46 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

SA 286/4 (45 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

SA 276/4 (44 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi to bowl

SA 265/4 (43 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed returns

SA 261/4 (42 Overs)

Naseem Shah bowls

SA 252/4 (41 Overs)

SA 242/4 (40 Overs)

39.3: Short of a length outside off. Mulder does for the cut but cannot keep it down, and backward point takes a neat catch, around knee height

Shaheen Afridi to bowl

SA 241/3 (39 Overs)

38.1: It was full around off. Breetzke charged down and smashed it to the right of the short cover. Agha dived across and pouched it with one hand, behind his body. Took a couple of tumbles to complete the catch

SA 238/2 (38 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

SA 225/2 (37 Overs)

Khushdil returns

SA 223/2 (36 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl 36th

SA 210/2 (35 Overs)

Abrar continues

SA 181/2 (34 Overs)

Hasnain continues

SA 186/2 (33 Overs)

Abrar continues

SA 181/2 (32 Overs)

Hasnain returns

SA 176/2 (31 Overs)

Abrar returns to attack

SA 174/2 (30 Overs)

Shaheen continues

SA 170/2 (29 Overs)

28.5:Three-quarter length ball around the off stump, dabs it gently to backward point and sets off for a quick single, Breetzke refused as the circle fielder picked up the ball cleanly, Bavuma is already a few yards away from his crease when the fielder aims towards the striker’s end and strikes the stumps

Temba Bavuma 82 (96b 13×4 0x6) SR: 85.41

Hasnain bowls from the other end

SA 169/1 (28 Overs)

Shaheen returns to attack

SA 165/1 (27 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

SA 160/1 (26 Overs)

Hasnain returns to attack

SA 154/1 (25 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

SA 151/1 (24 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

SA 144/1 (23 Overs)

Naseem Shah returns to bowl the 23rd over

SA 140/1 (22 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

SA 136/1 (21 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

SA 128/1 (20 Overs)

Khushdil Shah comes to bowl

SA 122/1 (19 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

SA 115/1 (18 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

SA 109/1 (17 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

SA 106/1 (16 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed returns to the attack

SA 98/1 (15 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

SA 92/1 (14 Overs)

Mohammad Hasnain continues

SA 86/1 (13 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha replaces Abrar Ahmed

SA 77/1 (12 Overs)

Mohammad Hasnain to bowl for the first time today

SA 66/1 (11 Overs)

Abrar continues

SA 64/1 (10 Overs)

Shaheen continues

SA 59/1 (9 Overs)

Abrar continues

SA 51/1 (8 Overs)

7.6: A length ball in the channel, De Zorzi stays back and hangs his bat out. He gets a thick outside edge to the right of the first slip. Agha dives across and pouches it with both hands

Tony de Zorzi 22 (18b 3×4 1×6) SR: 122.22

Shaheen Afridi comes on to bowl from the other end

SA 41/0 (7 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed replaces Shaheen Afridi

SA 31/0 (6 Overs)

Naseem continues to bowl

SA 27/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen continues

SA 20/0 (4 Overs)

Naseem to bowl the fourth over

SA 11/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

SA 6/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

SA 1/0 (1 Over)

Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma to open the innings for South Africa. Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl the first over for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs South Africa (1st INNINGS)

READ: Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Stadium to host exhibition match ahead of PSL 10

KARACHI: The newly renovated National Stadium was inaugurated in a glittering ceremony here on Tuesday ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Representing President Asif Ali Zardari at the ceremony, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori jointly inaugurated the newly upgraded National Bank Stadium.

The event was also attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, national team, former cricketers and several other dignitaries.

The star-studded opening ceremony will feature renowned national singers Shafqat Amanat Ali, Ali Zafar, and Sahir Ali Bagga.

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The stadium’s construction, which took four months, now features world-class facilities for players and spectators. A new pavilion — the University Road End — was also officially opened.

The new pavilion includes world-class dressing rooms for players and match officials, complemented by high-quality hospitality rooms.

The PCB released an official statement regarding the constructing and upgrading the National Stadium in Karachi.

“Developed in a record time of around four months, the facility underscores the dedication and efficiency behind the stadium’s rapid transformation,” the cricket board said in an official statement.

It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February, with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each venue will feature three group games, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March unless India qualifies, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. India will play in three group matches, and the first semi-final will be played in Dubai.

READ: Pakistan selection committee shortlists candidates to replace injured Haris Rauf

Pakistan national selection committee is considering young left-arm pacer Akif Javed to replace fast bowler Haris Rauf, who is sidelined due to injury, for the ongoing tri-nation ODI series, sources revealed.

For the unversed, Haris Rauf left the field during the 36th over of the tri-nation series opener against New Zealand after bowling 6.2 overs due to a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region.

“Following MRI and X-ray scans, it has been confirmed that Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Saturday’s match against New Zealand,” PCB shared in a statement.

“The injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February.

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“However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February.”

The sources have revealed that a replacement player will likely be added to the squad, with discussions revolving around Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, and Mohammad Ali.

According to sources, the selection committee of Pakistan is inclined towards including Akif as Rauf’s replacement and an official announcement regarding his inclusion is expected soon.

Despite his injury, Haris Rauf will continue to stay with the national squad. Meanwhile, sources confirm that no changes are expected in Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad as of now.

READ: Tri-nation series: South Africa, New Zealand squads reach Karachi