Who will open for Pakistan with Fakhar Zaman in Champions Trophy 2025? Selector reveals 'his opening partner will be...'

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally announced Pakistan's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to start from February 19. Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan, having taken over the captaincy after Babar Azam stepped down following the ODI World Cup 2023. A notable absence from the squad is rising star batsman Saim Ayub. He sustained an ankle injury during Pakistan's New Year's Test match in Cape Town, South Africa, which has unfortunately sidelined him for this tournament.

Meanwhile, veteran batter Fakhar Zaman has been included in the squad, bringing with him valuable experience, particularly his memorable performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. In that match, he scored a maiden ODI century (114 runs off 106 deliveries) at The Oval in London, playing a crucial role in Pakistan's resounding 180-run victory over India, which secured them the championship title. Also returning to the squad are Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.

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Who will open with Fakhar Zaman for Pakistan in Champions Trophy?

Meanwhile, Pakistan selector Asad Shafiq has revealed Pakistan's openers for the Champions Trophy. He said that Fakhar Zaman will open with either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy.

“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition and match strategy," Asad Shafiq, a member of the National Selection Committee told reporters while announcing Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad.

"Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and also excelling in the Cape Town Test by scoring two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence," he added.

Pakistan will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 followed by a high-voltage drama against arch-rivals India on February 23. Pakistan will then lock horns with Bangladesh in their last league match on February 27.

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Pakistan's Champions Trophy 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.