As a countdown to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Pakistan’s squad for the tournament. However, as of January 14, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to officially unveil its squad, leading to speculation and questions regarding the delay.
Reasons for delay
- Concerns about injuries: One of the primary reasons for the delay in announcing the squad is the fitness status of key players. Captain Mohammad Rizwan and opening dough dough Saim Ayub were dealing with injury problems, which made finalizing the lineup more complicated. The PCB is said to be assessing the players’ fitness levels before making the final announcement.
- Strategic considerations: The PCB may also consider strategic options regarding the composition of the team. With an eye on defending their title after winning the last Champions Trophy in 2017, the selectors are likely to be thinking of a combination of experienced players and emerging talent. The inclusion of a mystery spinner has been hinted at, which could add a unique dynamic to their bowling attack.
Tournament context
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9 and will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Pakistan have been placed in Group A along with India, Bangladesh and New Zealand.With their first match scheduled against New Zealand in Karachi, time is of the essence for the PCB to finalize its squad.
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Comparison with other teams
While most of the other participating teams have announced their squads ahead of the ICC’s January 12 deadline, India and Pakistan remain notable exceptions. India also sought an extension due to fitness concerns around their key players Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
🇮🇳💙 pic.twitter.com/cPTGNidpQl
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) June 27, 2024
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