Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and skipper Muhammad Rizwan will be the key players who are most likely to be in the team.

With Pakistan opener Saim Ayub being virtually ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, out-of-favour batter Fakhar Zaman is reportedly being considered as replacement. The form of Abdullah Shafique is also a concern for the Men in Green.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi all but ruled out young opener Saim Ayub of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament due to an ankle injury for which he is taking treatment in London. Saim had fractured his ankle on the first day of the second Test against South Africa earlier this month in Capetown.

Young cricket talent Saim Ayub, the opener for Pakistan, has been undergoing rehabilitation for an ankle injury in London. The PCB remains confident in his return before the Champions Trophy. Ayub's recent performances have placed him as one of the potential future stars in cricket alongside other global talents.

Saim "will return to Pakistan [to complete his rehab] once his ankle support brace is removed by specialists", says statement.

Pakistan announces its preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, aiming to leverage home advantage after.

Pakistan faces India in the Champions Trophy 2025. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s mentoring suggestion adds to the high-stakes rivalry ahead of the crucial match