Written by: Waseem Abbas
Posted on: February 20, 2025 | 
| 中文
A bill board with pictures of all the team captains
In the inaugural match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, New Zealand defeated the host and defending champions, Pakistan by 60 runs. This edition is particularly noteworthy as Pakistan hosts its first major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament since the 1996 World Cup. Due to political tensions, a hybrid hosting model has been adopted: while Pakistan will host ten matches, including a semifinal, all of India's matches will be played in Dubai.
(L to R) President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Asifa Bhutto Zardari and former captain Sarfraz Ahmed during the opening ceremony in the first match.
The tournament features eight teams, divided into two groups. Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh are in Group 1, while South Africa, England, Australia and Afghanistan are in Group 2. Each team will play all the other teams in their respective group, and the top two teams from both groups will advance to the semifinals.
Pakistan’s team selection for the mega event has been criticized due to a few contentious selections. Firstly, Pakistan has selected Faheem Ashraf for the pace-bowling all-rounder role, while the likes of Jehandad Khan and Aamir Jamal were ignored. Faheem’s international record has been mediocre at best, but he has performed remarkably well in domestic cricket, the Pakistan Super League, and franchise cricket around the world. His entry into the team directly for the mega event after a two-year hiatus from the national team is intriguing. If Faheem fails, selectors can expect harsh vitriol from cricket enthusiasts. Another interesting selection is that of Khushdil Shah, who has also made a national comeback after two years. Khushdil is seen as a replacement for Saim Ayub, who has been out of the team due to an injury. With both Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan dropped due to bad form and Saim’s sudden injury, Khushdil made a dramatic comeback after his heroics with both bat and ball in the 2025 Bangladesh Premier League. Khushdil justified his selection in the first game against New Zealand with a brisk 69 off 49 while batting at number 7. Khushdil’s inclusion gives the team management the opportunity to play four specialist bowlers, with Agha and Khushdil as the fifth bowling options.
Team Pakistan
Pakistan’s batting lineup is inexperienced, barring the trio of Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, and Pakistan will depend on them to deliver if they do well. In batting, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir and Kamran Ghulam are other options, but all are relatively inexperienced at the international level. Saud is also making a comeback after the 2023 ODI World Cup, while Tayyab and Kamran have played only six and nine games, respectively. Another blunder Pakistan made was not selecting a proper second opener among the likes of Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, or Shan Masood. Pakistan made Babar a makeshift opener in the recently concluded tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand, despite his exceptional numbers at one-down. Disturbing Babar’s position was not a logical decision, irrespective of whether he succeeds as an opener or not.
Ecstatic crowd in the first game.
The pitfalls of inconsistent selection were evident in the first match, where, after Fakhar's injury, Pakistan sent two middle-order batters, Saud and Babar, to open the innings. The makeshift openers failed to utilize the powerplay overs, as they could neither rotate the strike nor hit the ball over the fence. The timid batting approach, as well as the lackluster bowling from the senior pacers, led to the downfall in the first game of the tournament. It will now require a miracle to reach the semis, as Pakistan will not only have to win its remaining two games with big margins but also hope that results in other games go in their favor. The ill-settled and unprepared team needs favors from “Qudrat Ka Nizaam” this time around as well.
Naseem celebrates after taking a wicket against New Zealand.
There are no big surprises in the fast-bowling department, as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Hasnain are all in the team. However, Pakistan has selected only one specialist spinner in the form of Abrar Ahmed, which could be a tricky decision if the young mystery spinner fails to perform well. Pakistan could have selected another proper spinner like Sufyan Muqim or Faisal Akram to complement Abrar.
India is probably one of the strongest teams in the competition, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s absence due to an injury. India’s top six is arguably the most balanced batting order, while its spinners are experienced. The only concern for India would be their fast-bowling department, which has been dented by the absence of Bumrah as well as the non-selection of Mohammad Siraj. Veteran Mohammad Shami will be assisted by two young fast bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
It is a folly to underestimate Australia in the mega event, no matter how depleted they look. Australia’s pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are unavailable for the mega event, as well as the experienced all-rounder duo of Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis. Experienced Steve Smith will be leading the Aussies, accompanied by veterans like Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa and Travis Head. Emerging players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie and Nathan Ellis will be key for the Aussies.
Afghanistan has leapfrogged many other teams at the international level in recent years, and they will be eager to make a mark in this competition, where conditions suit them the most. Afghanistan’s spin bowling is probably the most dangerous, with the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote, whereas their pace bowling is not as threatening, barring Fazalhaq Farooqi. Afghanistan’s batting used to be their weak point, but they have rectified it in the last few years with the emergence of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran at the top, and Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi in the middle order.
Team New Zealand
If the inaugural match of the Champions Trophy and the recently concluded tri-series are any indicators, New Zealand is not to be taken for granted. New Zealand’s batting order is filled with both classical and attacking players, with the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson and Devon Conway at the top, followed by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham in the middle, and Mitchell Bracewell and Glenn Phillips as the designated finishers. Mitchell Santner’s spin bowling will be complemented by the pace of Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and Lockie Ferguson.
South Africa’s middle-order batting is one of the most in-form units in the competition, as the likes of Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller can turn the game around on their own. Their pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, as well as their spin department consisting of Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, are all proven performers. If Temba Bavuma and his team are determined to shed the "chokers" tag, they will have to prove they can deliver on the big stage.
England's Joe Root tries a reverse sweep while India's KL Rahul is behind the stump during the 2nd ODI, Feb 9, 2025. (Picture credits to ESPNcricinfo)
England has struggled in recent years in the shorter formats of the game, but Jos Buttler and co have everything it takes to be champions. They have the explosive batters like Phil Salt, Ben Ducket and Harry Brook in their arsenal, as well as the experience of Adil Rashid, Joss Buttler and Joe Root, and the pace of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Saqib Mehmood.
On the other hand, Bangladesh may appear to be a weak side on paper, but their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has stated that they are aiming to win the trophy and should not be taken for granted. Bangladesh has the experience of Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, as well as the talent of newcomers like Tanzid Hasan, Nahid Rana and Rishad Hussain.
The next 20 days are expected to be filled with high-intensity cricket, fierce rivalries and unforgettable memories. It is a great opportunity for Pakistani cricket fans to witness international stars in action, and we should cherish this moment. With high hopes, we trust that Team Pakistan will not disappoint us.
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