Tag: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Champions Trophy: Pakistan squad reaches Dubai for India clash

Posted on by ali.hassan

DUBAI: The Pakistan cricket squad has reached here today for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India, scheduled to be played on Sunday.

The Green Shirts landed in Dubai after a change in their original travel schedule. Initially set to depart right after their match against New Zealand yesterday, the team instead flew out at noon today.

The Pakistan squad will rest for the day before hitting the nets tomorrow to bolster their preparation for the high-stakes Champions Trophy clash against India on February 23.

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The defending champions and hosts Pakistan began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.

During the match, the Green Shirts suffered a major blow as top-order batter Fakhar Zaman sustained an injury in the very first over of New Zealand’s innings as he fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

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Despite the discomfort, Fakhar still came out to bat in Pakistan’s chase of 321 runs. However, he looked far from his usual fluent self, managing a scratchy 24 before getting dismissed.

Earlier today, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Fakhar Zaman can no longer participate in the mega-event and named Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, 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: Fakhar Zaman reacts after being ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025

Imam-ul-Haq replaces Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 squad

Posted on by Shahid Hashmi

Left-handed opening batter Imam-ul-Haq has replaced injured opener Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India.

Fakhar was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after he sustained an injury during Pakistan’s group-stage clash against New Zealand in Karachi yesterday.

The injury occurred in the very first over of New Zealand’s innings when Fakhar fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

Imam-ul-Haq, who recently represented Pakistan Shaheens in the Champions Trophy warm-up match against South Africa, was later confirmed to replace Fakhar in the squad.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad” the PCB stated in a media release.

“Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury.

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“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.”

Imam played his last of 72 ODIs against South Africa during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. He has scored 3,138 runs at an impressive average of 48.27, featuring nine centuries and 20 half-centuries.

Meanwhile, his last international match was the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2023 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The defending champions and hosts Pakistan began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.

They will now 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, Imam-ul-Haq, 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: Virat Kohli set to break another Sachin Tendulkar record

Virat Kohli set to break another Sachin Tendulkar record

Posted on by A Sports

DUBAI: India star batter Virat Kohli is on the brink of yet another historic milestone, with a chance to surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in his team’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh here on Thursday.

The star batter needs just 37 more runs to become only the third player in history to reach 14,000 runs in ODIs, with Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara being the other two.

If Virat Kohli gets there in the match against Bangladesh, he will achieve the feat in his 286th innings—significantly faster than Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the landmark in his 350th innings during a match against Pakistan in Peshawar back in 2006.

But that’s not the only record within Kohli’s reach as he is just 90 runs away from becoming the first Indian to score 1,000 ODI runs against Bangladesh.

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So far, he has hammered 910 runs in just 16 matches against the Tigers, with five centuries and three fifties to his name.

With India set to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign at the Dubai International Stadium, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli as he looks to rewrite the record books once again.

It’s worth noting that after today’s match against Bangladesh, Team India will face arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan in the much-awaited Champions Trophy clash on 23 February.

Meanwhile, their final group stage match is scheduled against New Zealand on 2 March.

India Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

READ: Rohit Sharma on the verge of major ODI milestone in Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy 2025: Bangladesh win toss, bat first against India

Posted on by A Sports

DUBAI: Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the second match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman

HEAD TO HEAD

India and Bangladesh have faced each other in 41 ODIs and the former boasts a dominant record with 32 victories. As far as Champions Trophy is concerned, India have won the only match between them.

Overall ODIs: Matches 41, India 32, Bangladesh 8, NR 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 1, India 1, Bangladesh 0

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This tournament marks the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament being held in 2017, where Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals India in the final.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

READ: Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025: sources

Rohit Sharma on the verge of major ODI milestone in Champions Trophy

Posted on by A Sports

DUBAI: India captain Rohit Sharma is on the verge of achieving a major ODI milestone during the second match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Rohit is just 12 runs away from entering the elite 11,000-run club in ODIs, and if he gets there against Bangladesh in India’s Champions Trophy opener, he’ll become the second-fastest to reach the milestone in terms of innings.

Currently sitting at 260 innings in ODIs, Rohit is on the verge of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the landmark in 276 innings.

Only Virat Kohli has done it faster, achieving the feat in just 222 innings. Interestingly, if Rohit crosses the mark today, all three of the fastest batters to 11,000 ODI runs will be Indians—Kohli (222), Rohit (260*), and Tendulkar (276).

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The milestone will also place Rohit in an exclusive club of Indian batters who have scored over 11,000 runs in the format, joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Virat Kohli.

With India set to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign at the Dubai International Stadium, all eyes will be on Rohit as he looks to rewrite the record books once again.

It’s worth noting that after today’s match against Bangladesh, Team India will face arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan in the much-awaited Champions Trophy clash on 23 February.

Meanwhile, their final group stage match is scheduled against New Zealand on 2 March.

India Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

READ: Khushdil Shah breaks silence on ‘parchi’ chants after New Zealand loss

Khushdil Shah breaks silence on ‘parchi’ chants after New Zealand loss

Posted on by A Sports

Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah has finally spoken out about the relentless chants of “parchi parchi” (a term used to suggest favouritism in team selection) that have followed him throughout his career.

The left-hander addressed the criticism head-on after Pakistan’s 60-run loss to New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy opener in Karachi yesterday.

Despite playing a fighting knock of 69 off 49 balls in a failed chase of 321, Khushdil once again found himself on the receiving end of fan taunts.

But instead of lashing out, he chose to respond with composure, making it clear that his focus has never been on personal milestones.

“If I were playing for myself, you wouldn’t have heard those [parchi] chants today,” Khushdil Shah said while speaking to journalists in the mixed zone.

“I have never played for individual records. My goal is always to contribute to the team’s success, whether people acknowledge it or not. I try to score runs without worrying about my wicket.”

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The left-hander, who showed some resistance alongside Naseem Shah in Pakistan’s collapsing chase, revealed that they were determined to take the game deep.

“Naseem and I were discussing that if we could take the game to the last over, we had a chance. But with no wickets left in hand, it wasn’t possible,” he said.

Khushdil Shah, who has been a consistent target of criticism from a section of the fanbase, admitted that he’s grown used to the negativity.

“People have been chanting slogans at me for two years now. It’s become a habit. I even tell them, ‘Go on, chant some more,'” he said.

“This is a big tournament happening on our home soil. It’s important for people to support the team instead of tearing down players. It’s disappointing when your own fans do this at your home ground.

“It shouldn’t happen, but I’ve learned to handle it and just focus on my game.”

READ: Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025: sources

Fakhar Zaman ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025: sources

Posted on by Shahid Hashmi

Pakistan faced a major blow ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India as opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, sources confirmed on Thursday.

Fakhar, who sustained an injury during Pakistan’s group-stage clash against New Zealand in Karachi, will not be traveling with the team to Dubai for the match against India. The ICC is expected to make an official announcement regarding his replacement soon.

The injury occurred in the very first over of New Zealand’s innings when Fakhar fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

Later, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement saying, “Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain, and further updates will be provided in due course.”

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Despite the discomfort, Fakhar still came out to bat in Pakistan’s chase of 321 runs. However, he looked far from his usual fluent self, managing a scratchy 24 before getting dismissed.

With no other specialist opener in the squad apart from Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan now faces a major selection headache ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy match against India.

The defending champions and hosts Pakistan began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.

They will now 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: Salman Ali Agha reveals the key factor behind Pakistan’s defeat

Champions Trophy: Young, Latham hit tons as New Zealand defeat Pakistan

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham’s centuries and clinical bowling performance propelled New Zealand to a comprehensive victory against Pakistan by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Chasing 321, Pakistan lost wickets regularly, courtesy of the Black Cap’s good bowling performance.

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel opened the innings for Pakistan after their regular opener, Fakhar Zaman, was forced to sit out for at least 25 minutes due to leaving the field during Pakistan’s bowling.

Saud Shakeel (6) perished cheaply in a daunting chase earlier, leaving Pakistan 8-1 in the fourth over. He was caught by Matt Henry at third man off Will O’Rourke.

The skipper Muhammad Rizwan (3) also returned to the pavilion inside the first powerplay without scoring big, being caught by a screamer from Glenn Phillips off Will O’Rourke.

After the first 10 overs, Pakistan languished and could only score 22-2, their lowest total in home ODI powerplay history.

Fakhar Zaman, who was forced to bat at No. 04, joined Babar Azam in the middle, and the duo knitted a 47-run partnership but took 65 deliveries to do so, soaring the asking rate.

Pakistan was reeling 69-3 in the 21st over when Fakhar Zaman (24) departed.

Salman Ali Agha joined Babar Azam and played a blistering knock of 42 at a strike rate of 150. Agha Salman provided some hope to Pakistani fans, smashing six fours and a six before being dismissed by Nathan Smith, leaving the host 127-4 in the 31st over.

Tayyab Tahir also failed to impress, returning to the pavilion after scoring just a single. In the meantime, Babar Azam completed his fifty and eventually scored 90-ball 64 before being caught with 153 on the scoreboard.

But Khushdil Shah gave the hosts a faint hope in their chase with his blistering knock of 69 from 49 balls, which included one six and ten fours.

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He formed well-stiched partnerships with the tailenders, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Khushdil added 47 and 29 runs for the eighth and ninth wicket with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem, respectively.

He departed in the 44th over courtesy of Will O’Rourke’s good bowling.

Pakistan’s last pair, Haris Rauf and Naseem put on a valiant partnership of 31 runs off 21 balls, but it was not enough as the Kiwis secured a comfortable victory in the end.

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke were stand-out bowlers who picked up three wickets each, while Matt Henry was equally good with his two wickets.

Tom Latham was awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding century in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Earlier, Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to power New Zealand to 320-5 in their  50 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan invited New Zealand to bat first, and his bowlers proved the decision right by inflicting early damage.

Abrar Ahmed castled Devon Conway (10), while star batter Kane Williamson (1) fell prey to Naseem Shah, leaving the Black Caps struggling at 40-2.

Will Young and Daryl Mitchell (10) stitched a 33-run stand for the third wicket to stabilize the innings before Haris Rauf struck.

Following Mitchell’s wicket, Young forged a partnership of 118 runs with Tom Latham to take the team’s total to 191 inside 38 overs.

Young completed his century during the partnership. However, he fell prey to Naseem soon afterward. He departed after scoring 107 runs from 113 balls with the help of 13 boundaries, including one six.

Glenn Phillips joined Latham, and together, they wreaked havoc, smashing 125 runs from 74 balls in the fifth wicket partnership.

Phillips struck 61 runs off 39 balls with four sixes and three boundaries before he fell to Haris Rauf in the final over.

Meanwhile, Latham remained unbeaten on 118 runs from 104 balls to take his team’s total to 320-5 in their allocated 50 overs. His innings featured ten boundaries and three sixes.

Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets for Pakistan, while Abrar Ahmed bagged one.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

READ: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter

Champions Trophy: PCB provides update on Fakhar Zaman’s injury

Posted on by Shahid Hashmi

KARACHI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury scare during the ongoing match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand here on Wednesday.

The left-hander fell awkwardly while fielding in the first over of New Zealand’s innings and had to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Fakhar Zaman did return to the field after some time, attempting to continue, but he soon walked off again, raising concerns about his fitness.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later released a statement, saying, “Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain and further updates will be provided in due course.”

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Pakistan will now be anxiously waiting for further medical reports, hoping that the injury isn’t serious, given Fakhar’s importance to the team’s batting lineup.

For the unversed, after today’s game against New Zealand, the Pakistan cricket team 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: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter

Champions Trophy: Fakhar Zaman eyes Shahid Afridi’s record against New Zealand

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is on the brink of surpassing the record of legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand here on Wednesday.

Fakhar, known for his aggressive stroke play, has had a stellar record against the BlackCaps, amassing 1,053 runs at an impressive average and strike rate.

With just 26 more runs, he will overtake Afridi’s tally of 1,078 runs and climb to third place on the list of Pakistan’s highest ODI run-getters against New Zealand.

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At the top of the list stands Inzamam-ul-Haq with 1,283 runs, followed closely by Saeed Anwar (1,260 runs). Fakhar, with significantly fewer innings than the others on this elite list, has a golden opportunity to etch his name further in history.

Most ODI Runs for Pakistan against New Zealand

  • Inzamam-ul-Haq – 1,283 in 42 innings.
  • Saeed Anwar – 1,260 runs in 32 innings.
  • Shahid Afridi – 1,078 runs in 35 innings.
  • Saleem Malik – 1,054 runs in 41 innings.
  • Fakhar Zaman – 1,053 runs in 19 innings.

With significantly fewer innings than those ahead of him, Fakhar Zaman has a strong chance to move up the list of the batters with the most runs against New Zealand.

For the unversed, after today’s game against New Zealand, Pakistan cricket team 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: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter