Fakhar Zaman’s opening partner for Champions Trophy remains uncertain

Pakistan's squad for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 was unveiled on Friday by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), sparking discussions about the team’s opening pair for the tournament.

Fakhar Zaman, who marks his return to the One Day International (ODI) squad after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, is the only specialist opener in the 15-player squad.

Fakhar’s selection is significant for Pakistan’s top-order, but a question remains about who will partner him at the crease.

His regular opening partner, Saim Ayub, misses out on the squad due to an ankle injury, while Abdullah Shafique’s recent dip in form has led to his exclusion from the lineup.

Addressing the opening conundrum, national selector Asad Shafiq revealed that Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel are both contenders to open with Fakhar during the Champions Trophy. The final decision will depend on a number of factors, including match conditions, the opposition, and the team's overall strategy.

Shafiq, speaking in a PCB-released statement, highlighted Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive batting style and match-winning potential, describing his return as a boost for the top-order.

“Fakhar Zaman’s return is a significant boost for our top-order. His aggressive approach and match-winning capabilities are vital to our plans,” Shafiq said.

He further emphasized Saud Shakeel’s inclusion in the squad, pointing to his rich form in Test cricket, particularly in home conditions. Shakeel’s experience and ability to build partnerships were seen as key strengths for Pakistan's middle-order.

“Saud Shakeel has been drafted to further bolster the batting and capitalise on his rich vein of form in Test cricket, particularly in home conditions. Moreover, he is an experienced, intelligent, and calculated batter who constructs his innings thoughtfully and excels at building partnerships,” said Shafiq.

On the other hand, Babar Azam’s credentials as a top-order batter are well established, with the Pakistani captain having regularly opened in T20Is and excelling in the Test format. His standout performance came during the Cape Town Test when he scored two half-centuries in Saim Ayub’s absence.

The squad announcement has set the stage for an exciting showdown in the tri-nation series and the Champions Trophy.

With multiple opening options at their disposal, Pakistan will be looking to build a formidable partnership at the top of the order to kick off their campaign.

The Pakistan squad for the tri-nation series and Champions Trophy 2025 is as follows:

• 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
• Shaheen Shah Afridi