Pakistan are set to co-host the Champions Trophy 2025 alongside the UAE, marking the return of the prestigious ICC tournament after eight years. Expectations will be sky-high for the home te?am, as they look to make the most of fa??miliar conditions and put up a strong challenge for the title.

Pakistan’s search for the perfect opening pair

As part of their preparations, Pakistan have recently announced their Champions Trophy squad, but one notable absence is young opener Saim Ayub, who missed out due to injury. This has left the team management with the task of finding an ideal opening partner for Fakhar Zaman, who has made his return to the ODI setup. Fakhar’s aggressive approach at the top is crucial for Pakistan, but he needs a solid partner to ensure stability. With the tournament a??pproaching, three names have emerged as possible candidates to open the innings with Fakhar.

3 players who can be Fakhar Zaman’s opening partner in Champions Trophy 2025

1. Babar Azam �?The experienced contender

Babar Azam is undoubtedly Pakistan’s most accomplished batter across forma?ts. Having previously opened in ODIs, he?? is well-versed in handling the new ball and pacing an innings. His ability to rotate strike, build partnerships, and accelerate when required makes him a strong candidate.

Moreover, as a former captain, Babar’s l?eadership on the field could help Fakhar play with more freedom. While Babar has predominantly batted at No. 3 in ODIs, he has successfully opened in the past, including during the T20 World C?up 2021, where he formed a formidable partnership with Mohammad Rizwan. If Pakistan prioritize experience and stability, Babar is the safest choice.

Pros of Babar opening:

�?Proven track record in ODIs
�?Ability to bat long innings
�?Leadership experience and composure
�?Has previou??sly opened succ?essfully in white-ball cricket

Cons of Babar opening:

�?Moving him from No. 3 could affect Pakistan’s middle order balance
�?Strike rate might be a concern in the p??owerplay

Also READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Checkout the ?ticket details for the India vs Pa??kistan game in Dubai

2. Saud Shakeel �?The surprise inclusion

Saud Shakeel‘s selection in the Champions Trophy squad raised eyebrows, but PCB selector Asad Shafiq ha??s confirmed that he is in consideration for the opening role. Shakeel is an elegant left-handed batter known for his technique, patience, and ability to rotate strike.

Having made a name for himself in Test cricket, Shakeel is still finding his feet i??n the limited-overs format. However, his compact technique could help Pakistan counter the moving ball in seaming conditions. If Pakistan are looking for a left-right combination at the top, Shakeel could be a promising option.

“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition, and match strategy,” Asad had stated in a media release.

Pros of Saud opening:

�?Left-handed batter to complement Fakhar
�?Strong technique against the new ball
�?Can?? stabilize the innings if early wickets fall

Cons of Saud opening:

�?Lack of experience in white-ball cricket
�?Strike rate concerns in ODIs

3. Kamran Ghulam �?The emerging candidate

Kamran Ghulam is a relatively new face in Pakistan’s ODI setup, havi??ng played just 10 matches so far. While he is yet to establish himself in white-ball cricket, his recent perfor??mances as a top-order batter in Tests have put him in contention.

Kamran has shown his ability to play long innings in red-ball cricket, and? that could translate well into ODIs. He possesses a solid technique and has the temperament to build an innings, making him an interesting candidate for the opening role. While he remains an outsider in the race, Pakistan might consider him if they need someone to grind out the new ball and allow Fakhar to play his natural attacking game.

Pros of Kamran opening:

�?Strong temperament and patience
�?Has batted in the top order in Tests
�?Can adapt to challenging conditions

Cons of Kamran opening:

�?Limited ODI experience
�?Unproven at the international level ???against top teams

Also READ: Fakhar Zaman pic?ks?? 3 Indian players to watch out for in the Champions Trophy 2025

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The Champions Trophy has always been one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments, and the 2025 edition is?? no exception. The global event is just around the corner, and excitement among cricket fans is reaching a fever pitch. Set to take place in Pakistan and?? UAE, the tournament promises high-intensity action, featuring top cricketing nations competing for glory.

Fakhar Zaman picks three Indian players to watch

In the lead-up to the tournament, Pakistan star Fakhar Zaman highlighted three Indian players who could be game-changers. The Pakistani opener went with all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the two global stars �?Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma �?as his picks.

“For me, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are the players to watch out for. They are match-winners and have the ability to change the game single-handedly,” Fakhar remarked as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

The Pakistani opener also reflected on his prepa?rations for t?he Champions Trophy and his iconic performance in the 2017 final against India.

“That century in the 2017 Champions Trophy final is a memory I’ll always cherish. It was a turning point for our team, and moments like those fuel my motivation for tournaments like these,” added Fakhar.

Also READ: Not India! Sunil ?Gavaskar picks the favourites for C??hampions Trophy 2025

Excitement for Indo-Pak clash

When it comes to c??ricket ri?valries, few can match the intensity of an India-Pakistan showdown. The clash between these two cricketing giants in the Champions Trophy 2025 is undoubtedly one of the most awaited matches of the tournament. Fakhar expressed his excitement about the rivalry but also lamented the absence of home support for Pakistan.

“Playing against India is always special. While it would have been great to host them at home, these decisions are beyond our control. The atmosphere in an India-Pakistan game is unmatched,” Fakhar added further.

Also READ: Sanjay Bangar reveals his?? playing XI for Ind?ia’s opening game in Champions Trophy 2025

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Mark Adair delivered a stunning opening blow for the Gulf Giants in the International League (IL)T20 2025 match against the Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Mark Adair’s dream start sends Fakhar Zaman packing

Bowling the first ball of his spell, Adair produced a length delivery around off stump that swung in sharply, leaving Fakhar Zaman, explosive batter from Pakistan, completely beaten. The ball zipped past the bat, rattling the middle stump in a display of perfect seam and swing. Z??aman, who managed 7 runs off 6 balls, including a boundary, seemed surprised by the sharp inward movement and could do little to counter it. There was a hint of an edge as the ball crashed into the stumps, but it didn’t detract from the sheer brilliance of the delivery.

This early wicket provided the Giants with a much-needed breakthrough, putting immediate pressure on the Vipers in their chase. Adair’s ability to swing the ball with precision stood out as a key moment in the game. Adair went on to bowl a sensational maiden over, further compounding the Vipers�?troubles by dismissing last match’s hero, Dan Lawrence, for a duck.

Here’s the video:

𝐖o𝐖! Adair is leaving an early 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 here 🫡#ILT20onZee #T20HeroesKaJalwa #DPWorldILT20 #GGvDV pic.twitter.com/uYO0SxSEro

— Zee Cricket (@ilt20onzee) January 14, 2025

Also WATCH: Wanindu Hasaranga bamboozles Ollie Robinson with a wrong’un during Gulf Giants vs ??Desert Vip??ers game

Desert Vipers in control against Gulf Giants in low-scoring encounter

In the 5th match of ILT20 2025, the Vipers took early command after winning the toss and opting to field. The Giants posted a modest total of 119/9 in their allotted 20 overs, with captain James Vince anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 76 off 62 balls. However, a lack of support from the other batters led to a subpar score. Lockie Ferguson’s fiery spell (3/22) and Mohammad Amir’s disciplined bowling (2/23) were instrumental in restricting the Giants. In reply, the Vipers reached 49/2 at the half stage, with Alex Hales and Sam Curran stabilizing t??he chase after Adair’s double strike in the second over. Adair’s exceptional spell of 2/12 in his allotted four gave the Giants a glimmer of hope, but with 71 runs needed in 60 balls and an in-form Curran at the crease, the Vipers remain firm favourites to clinch the match.

Also WATCH: Nicholas Pooran? tonks Olly Stone for an in?credible hat-trick of sixes in ILT20 2025

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Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has revealed his picks for the semi-finalists of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After months of speculation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has resolved hosting uncertainties by confirming the tournament will be held across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The eight-team event, played in a 50-over format, will feature 15 matches. Notably England are the on??ly nation to have announced their squad so f?ar.

Champions Trophy 2025: Host and venue details

India’s matches of the Champions Trophy 2025 have been shifted to Dubai due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision not to send its team to Pakistan,? citing security concerns.

The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan. Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi will host the group-stage matches in Pakistan, while Dubai will serve as the venue for the knockout stages, including bot??h semi-finals and the final. If India qualifies for the final, the match will be played in Dubai, with reserve days in place for both semi-finals and the final to ensure no interrupti?ons due to weather.

Also READ: Dinesh Karthik names Rohit Sharma’s openin?g partner for the Champions Trophy 2025

Fakhar Zaman’s semifinalists

Speaking on Basit Ali’s YouTube ch??annel, Fakhar expressed confidence in teams from subcontinent securing a spot in the final four. Despite formidable sides like New Zealand, England, and Australia, Fakhar included South Africa in his list of semi-finalists.

“Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and South Africa are the teams I believe will reach the semi-finals,” Fakhar stated.

Zaman’s memorable performance ??in the Champions Trophy 2017 final, where he scored a match-winning century against the arch-rivals, India, remains a defi?ning moment of his career. His knock secured Pakistan’s first-ever Champions Trophy victory, and Fakhar was subsequently named Player of the Match.

Also READ: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahi??di predicts his four semifinalists of Cham??pions Trophy 2025

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Fakhar Zaman, a key player in Pakistan cricket, has recently faced a significant setback as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to drop him from its centrally contracted players list ahead? of the upcoming Australian tour. This decision has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the implications of his fitness issues, recent social media activity, and the overall treatment of players by the PCB.

The controversial tweet from Fakhar Zaman

Zaman’s exclusion is partly attributed to a tweet he posted in defence of Babar Azam, who was controversially omitted from the Test squad. In his tweet, Zaman compared Babar’s form to that of Virat Kohli during a rough patch, suggesting that dropping a player of Babar’s calibre could send a negative message to the team. This public defence did not sit well with PCB officials, leading to Zaman receiving a show-cause notice for his comments, which many believe influenced his exclusion from the contract list.

It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan�?/p>

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) October 13, 2024

Fitness concerns cause an issue to Zaman’s selection

Another significant factor in Zaman’s omission is his fitness. Reports indicate that he struggled to complete a recent fitness test due to a knee issue, failing to finish a 2-kilometer run within the required time. This has raised questions about perceived double standards in the PCB’s fitness evaluations, especially when other players with similar or worse performances were retained or promoted. For instance, Usman Khan received a contract despite not completing his fitness test. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that while Zaman’s tweet was problematic, his fitness was the “bigger issue” leading to his exclusion from both the central contracts and the upcoming tours.

Also READ: Pakistan Cricket Board announces central contracts for 2024?-25; Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq misses out

PCB’s strategic shift

The PCB’s decision to drop Zaman appears to be part of a broader strategy aimed at reshaping the team dynamics and promoting younger talent. Alongside Zaman, notable players like Shaheen Afridi have also faced demotions in their contract categories. The PCB has introduced new contracts for emerging players, indicating a shift towards nurturing fresh talent while sidelining those who openly criticize the board’s decisions. This approach may reflect an intent to foster loyalty among players and create a more unified team environment.

“Tweet was one issue, but the bigger matter was fitness. There is a show-cause notice pending against him, and we will see about that. He would need to prove his fitness; his point of view was valued in the Connection Camp, and I am very thankful to him for that, but you cannot go around commenting on the selection committee over selection? calls. But ya, the bigger issue is of selection,�?/em> Naqvi stated in the press conference.