Tag: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

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.

PAK 260 (46 Overs)

47.2: Henry to Naseem Shah, OUT! New Zealand win by 60 runs. Agony for the hosts as they lose their first match

Naseem Shah 13 (15b 0x4 1×6 27m) SR: 86.66

PAK 260/9 (45 Overs)

46.6: Santner to Haris Rauf, OUT

Haris Rauf 19 (10b 0x4 3×6 11m) SR: 190

Santner continues

PAK 245/8 (44 Overs)

O’Rourke to continue

PAK 236/8 (43 Overs)

Santner returns

PAK 229/8 (42 Overs)

43.4: O’Rourke to Khushdil, OUT

Khushdil Shah 69 (49b 10×4 1×6) SR: 140.81

O’Rourke continues

PAK 225/7 (41 Overs)

Henry continues

PAK 213/7 (40 Overs)

O’Rourke back for bowling

PAK 200/7 (39 Overs)

Matt Henry into the attack

PAK 196/6 (38 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 187/6 (37 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 183/6 (36 Overs)

Phillips returns

PAK 175/6 (35 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 166/6 (34 Overs)

Santner to continue

PAK 156/6 (33 Overs)

Bracewell returns

PAK 153/6 (32 Overs)

33.6: Santner to Babar Azam, OUT, big wicket

Babar Azam 64 (90b 6×4 1×6) SR: 71.11

Santner continues

PAK 146/5 (31 Overs)

Smith continues

PAK 130/5 (30 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 128/4 (29 Overs)

30.4: Smith to Salman, OUT. Salman goes!

Salman Agha 42 (28b 6×4 1×6) SR: 150

Nathan Smith into the attack

PAK 124/3 (28 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 119/3 (27 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 104/3 (26 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 94/3 (25 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 84/3 (24 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 83/3 (23 Overs)

Phillips from the other end

PAK 80/3 (22 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 72/3 (21 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 70/3 (20 Overs)

Santner comes into bowl

PAK 69/3 (19 Overs)

20.5: Michael Bracewell to Zaman, OUT. Silence in the stands as Fakhar is bowled!

Fakhar Zaman  24 (41b 4×4 0x6) SR: 58.53

Bracewell continues

PAK 66/2 (18 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 65/2 (17 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 60/2 (16 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 55/2 (15 Overs)

Bracewell to continue

PAK 55/2 (14 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 49/2 (13 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 41/2 (12 Overs)

Glenn Phillips comes to bowl.

PAK 24/2 (11 Overs)

Michael Bracewell into the attack

PAK 22/2 (10 Overs)

9.6: O’Rourke to Rizwan, OUT. Flying Glenn Phillips takes screamer.

O’Rourke continues

PAK 21/1 (9 Overs)

Henry to continue

PAK 19/1 (8 Overs)

O’Rourke continues

PAK 14/1 (7 Overs)

Henry continues. A maiden over…

PAK 14/1 (6 Overs)

O’Rourke to continue

PAK 12/1 (5 Overs)

Henry continues

PAK 8/1 (4 Overs)

3.4: O’Rourke to Saud Shakeel, OUT.. gone! New Zealand with an early breakthrough. He is caught on the third man.

Saud Shakeel 6 (19b 0x4 0x6) SR: 31.57

O’Rourke continues

PAK 5/0 (3 Overs)

Henry to continue from the other end

PAK 3/0 (2 Overs)

Will O’Rourke will take the new ball from the other end.

PAK 1/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel to open for Pakistan. Matt Henry will bowl the first over for New Zealand.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (2nd INNINGS)

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

NZ 320/5 (50 Overs)

49.4: Haris Rauf to Phillips, OUT!!

Glenn Phillips 61 (39b 3×4 4×6 62m) SR: 156.41

Haris Rauf to bowl the last over.

NZ 306/4 (49 Overs)

48.1: Fifty for Phillips. His quick-fire fifty includes four sixes and one four.

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 294/4 (48 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 283/4 (47 Overs)

46.2: Shaheen Afridi to Latham, pushes on to the on side for a run, and here it is his eighth ODI hundred.

Shaheen Afridi is back in the attack

NZ 265/4 (46 Overs)

Naseem Shah into his final over

NZ 256/4 (45 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 240/4 (44 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 224/4 (43 Overs)

Khushdil continues

NZ 215/4 (42 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed comes into the bowl

NZ 212/4 (41 Overs)

Khushdil comes back into the attack

NZ 207/4 (40 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 198/4 (39 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 193/4 (38 Overs)

37.2: Length ball, Young heaves to the leg side… and it’s brilliantly taken by sub fielder Faheem Ashraf.

Will Young 107 (113b 12×4 1×6) SR: 94.69

Naseem Shah returns to the attack

NZ 187/3 (37 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi returns

NZ 183/3 (36 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 175/3 (35 Overs)

34.2: Will Young sweeps to his century! A measured innings, that did not start smoothly, particularly with wickets at the other end, but a tidy ODI hundred, his first of four overseas.

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 171/3 (34 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 164/3 (33 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 159/3 (32 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 151/3 (31 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed returns

NZ 148/3 (30 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 139/3 (29 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

NZ 129/3 (28 Overs)

Khushdil Shah returns

NZ 124/3 (27 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl

NZ 119/3 (26 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

NZ 113/3 (25 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 110/3 (24 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

NZ 105/3 (23 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 98/3 (22 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha replaces Khushdil

NZ 94/3 (21 Overs)

Shaheen returns

NZ 93/3 (20 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 86/3 (19 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 80/3 (18 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 77/3 (17 Overs)

16.2: Haris Rauf angles the ball in towards the batter, and Mitchell’s attempt to move leg side to create room for the pull doesn’t work and hits high up on the bat and pops apologetically towards mid-on.

Daryl Mitchell 10 (24b 0x4 0x6) SR: 41.66

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 73/2 (16 Overs)

Khushdil Shah comes on to bowl his left-arm spin

NZ 71/2 (15 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 68/2 (14 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 64/2 (13 Overs)

Haris Rauf to bowl his first over

NZ 55/2 (12 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 50/2 (11 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 48/2 (10 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 45/2 (9 Overs)

8.1: Back of a length, hitting the surface hard enough to find some precious movement away from the batter, who is defending with a full face. The bowl finds a edge and Rizwan takes a low catch.

Kane Williamson 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Naseem continues

NZ 40/1 (8 Overs)

7.3: Perfect length, pushing Conway back, and then enough grip off the surface to move from leg stump to knock back off!

Devon Conway 10 (17b 2×4 0x6) SR: 58.82

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 39/0 (7 Overs)

Naseem returns from the other end

NZ 33/0 (6 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed introduced into the attack

NZ 30/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 24/0 (4 Overs)

Naseem to continue

NZ 3/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 3/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

NZ 3/0 (1 Over)

Devon Conway and Will Young to open the innings for New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi will take the new ball for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st INNINGS)

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

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

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

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

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: ‘Our belief is same’ Babar Azam issues bold statement ahead of Champions Trophy

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped high praise on Pakistan vice-captain Salman Ali Agha ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted Salman Ali Agha and Tayyab Tahir as key players to watch in the tournament.

“I am very excited about two players: Tayyab Tahir and Agha Salman. Actually, Agha Salman should be mentioned first—what a player he is,” Ashwin remarked

“He has quality, he can handle pressure situations, and he has a presence at the crease that I haven’t seen in a Pakistani player for a long time.”

Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t hold back in his praise for Salman, even making a bold comparison statement that he can surpass even Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the future.

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“And I mean it—he has that presence. I just hope he doesn’t follow the path of some other players,” he added.

“If he continues playing like this, he could become a poster boy for Pakistan cricket. I genuinely believe Agha Salman has the ability to surpass even Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.”

The 38-year-old also spoke highly of Tayyab Tahir, calling him an “exceptional middle-order player” and emphasizing that Pakistan has found a solid option in that role after a long time.

“Tayyab Tahir is an exceptional middle-order player. Pakistan has found one after a long time,” he stated.

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: ‘Our belief is same’ Babar Azam issues bold statement ahead of Champions Trophy

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has arrived at the National Bank Stadium here on Wednesday ahead of the much-anticipated opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Mohsin Naqvi, entrusted with overseeing the final arrangements, expressed his satisfaction as preparations reached their pinnacle ahead of the highly anticipated opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

With great enthusiasm, he is set to extend a warm welcome to President Asif Ali Zardari, who will grace the occasion as the chief guest for the grand opening ceremony at the National Bank Stadium.

This event marks a significant moment, as Pakistan proudly hosts an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years.

The presence of the chairman highlights the PCB’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a seamless and impeccably organized tournament that promises to deliver thrilling cricket to fans and participants alike.

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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.

It’s worth noting that 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 boats an undefeated record against Pakistan.

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: Skipper Rizwan urges Pakistan to enjoy Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said on Tuesday the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would be a “historic occasion” for the country, a day before the hosts kick the tournament off against New Zealand.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is the first major cricket event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades and is regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game.

“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion,” Rizwan told a news conference on the eve of the tournament, which runs until March 9.

Pakistan had been due to host the tournament in 2008 but was thrown into cricketing isolation by a security crisis as violence spilled over from the long-running war in neighbouring Afghanistan.

However, major teams have toured Pakistan in the past five years as security improved, opening the way for the cricket-mad nation to stage the tournament.

“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” Rizwan said.

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Still, the build-up has not been without problems after neighbours and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions. India will instead play their matches in Dubai.

Pakistan’s opponents in the tournament opener in Karachi beat them twice this month during a tri-series event that included South Africa.

“There shouldn’t be any doubts on our performance,” Mohammad Rizwan said. “We may not have played on our abilities but we all want to win the event for the country and people.”

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: Shahid Afridi believes THIS player deserved a place in Champions Trophy 2025 squad

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed his belief that off-spinner Sajid Khan deserved a place in the national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Speaking to a private TV channel, the former Pakistan captain lamented the absence of spinner Sajid Khan who played a leading role in Pakistan’s victories in the recent Test home series.

“His confidence is very high and he is also a very good fielder. He [Sajid Khan] is a strong character who can also hit sixes in batting,” Shahid Afridi said.

Afridi was of the view that Sajid deserved to be in the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, considering the fact that Abrar Ahmed is the only specialist spinner in the squad.

Meanwhile, he agreed that the team India was entering the Champions Trophy 2025 with the right combination.

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“It is a perfect team, from openers to fast bowlers. I know there is no Bumrah, but they have bowlers such as Shami who can bowl exceptionally with the new ball,” Shahid Afridi said when asked about team India.

The former Pakistan captain was of the view that the abundance of quality spinners in the Indian side would help them defend low totals on pitches in Dubai.

“They have so many spinners who will cover Bumrah’s area. They are coming with a plan knowing they will play all of their games in Dubai,” Shahid Afridi said.

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: Mohammad Rizwan confirms Babar Azam’s batting position for Champions Trophy

Former Indian Batter Suresh Raina caused a buzz among fans after his semi-final predictions for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Raina, former England batter Kevin Petersen, and cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra were asked to reveal their final four teams of the eight-team tournament.

While Pietersen named Pakistan, India, England, and Australia the semifinalists, Suresh Raina picked India, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan as his top four of the Champions Trophy 2025.

However, Raina’s prediction created confusion as three of his four semifinalists were from the same group.

For the unversed, Group A of the upcoming tournament includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan are placed in Group B.

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According to the tournament rules, only two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy 2025.

It is pertinent to note that the eight-team tournament will begin with the opening game between Pakistan, defending champions and hosts, and New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.

This will be the first global cricketing event in Pakistan in three decades. The last major tournament that the country hosted was the 1996 ODI World Cup, won by Sri Lanka.

India will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign by taking on Bangladesh on February 20.

They will then face Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai after the BCCI refused to send its team to the country for the tournament.

India’s group-stage games will conclude with their third game against New Zealand on March 2.

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

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

READ: More than cricket as Pakistan hosts first major tournament in 29 years

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has emphasized the need to back the national squad in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while also addressing the absence of young batting sensation Saim Ayub.

For the unversed, Saim suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa in early January. The injury ruled him out for 10 weeks, forcing him to miss the Champions Trophy 2025.

Shahid Afridi, while speaking to the media on Tuesday, acknowledged that Saim’s injury is a setback but urged everyone to move forward and back the current squad.

“Yes, Saim Ayub’s absence will be felt, but now it’s time to forget that and support the entire squad,” Afridi stated.

“There’s no point in repeatedly mentioning Saim Ayub now. We need to focus on the players who are part of the squad and back them wholeheartedly.”

Shahid Afridi, known for his straightforward views, admitted that he had reservations about the inclusion of one or two players in the Champions Trophy squad but refrained from naming them.

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“I do have some objections to a couple of selections, but I won’t take names. What’s more important now is to support the team,” he said.

Afridi also commented on the much-anticipated clash with India, expressing his disappointment over India’s decision not to play in Pakistan.

“India should have come to Pakistan and played here. But since they will play in Dubai, Pakistan’s focus should be on beating them, wherever the match is,” Afridi remarked.

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: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 commentary panel unveiled

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, unveiled a star-studded commentary panel for the upcoming Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on February 19.

The Champions Trophy commentary panel comprises renowned cricket voices including icons like Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith and Ian Bishop.

Along with them will be ICC World Cup winners of the past, including Ravi Shastri, Aaron Finch, Matthew Hayden, Ramiz Raja, Mel Jones, Wasim Akram and Sunil Gavaskar, who will share their insights on what it takes to succeed on the biggest stage.

Some of the most recognisable voices in world cricket, including Harsha Bhogle, Michael Atherton, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Kass Naidoo and Simon Doull, are set to provide depth and perspectives in the commentary box.

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Completing this stellar lineup will be former internationals Dale Steyn, Bazid Khan, Dinesh Karthik, Katey Martin, Shaun Pollock, Athar Ali Khan and Ian Ward, who will provide expert analysis and insights throughout the tournament.

West Indies great Ian Bishop, whose voice has called several thrilling moments of the game, said he’s looking forward to the event.

“The Champions Trophy has always delivered some of the most thrilling encounters in cricket,” Bishop added. “And I have no doubt that this edition will be no different. With world-class teams and so much at stake, we’re in for a treat!”

 

Commentary Panel for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025:

Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith, Ian Bishop, Ravi Shastri, Aaron Finch, Matthew Hayden, Ramiz Raja, Mel Jones, Wasim Akram, Sunil Gavaskar, Harsha Bhogle, Michael Atherton, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Kass Naidoo, Simon Doull, Dale Steyn, Bazid Khan, Dinesh Karthik, Katey Martin, Shaun Pollock, Athar Ali Khan and Ian Ward.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan confirms Babar Azam’s batting position for Champions Trophy

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