The epitome of cricketing action in the Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner with arch-rivals India and Pakistan set to lock horns at the Dubai International Stadium. While the mood and feelings around cricket’s all-time classic clash building up to its peak a major discussion is revolving around the kind of playing XI Pakistan would choose ahead of a vitals clash for their chances in the tournament.
A do-or-die clash for Pakistan
Pakistan have already missed out on the opportunity to start the tournament on a high and establish an early lead in the group. The team had suffered a crushing defeat on home soil against New Zealand in the opening clash of the tournament. Another loss for Pakistan would end their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy and put their title defense to a close. Thus, Pakistan are in a must win situation against India.
Key concerns for Pakistan ahead of the clash against arch-rivals
1. Seasoned batters out of touch:
Although the team is star-studded with seasoned batters who have displayed their prowess at the highest level in limited overs cricket for a long time, their recent form has been detrimental to the team’s prospects of winning the matches. Players like Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir have failed to leave a mark with the bat in recent matches. These batters will have to find their form once again if they want to give their team a chance to survive in the tournament.
2. A fresh inclusion ahead of the vital clash:
Ahead of the all-important clash against India, experienced batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the squad due to an injury during the match against New Zealand. Imam-ul-Haq, another star batter for Pakistan is anticipated to replace him in the tournament and he will be starting his campaign straight away against arch-rivals India in a high-stake clash.
Imam last featured for Pakistan in 50-overs cricket during the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 in a clash against South Africa in Chennai. Since it has been a long time since he last played international cricket, throwing him straight into a match of this magnitude and stature puts his match-readiness in serious question.
3. Lack of sharpness from bowlers
During the clash against New Zealand, Pakistani bowlers could not restrict the batters and were complacent during the middle overs. As a result, the Blackcaps batters were able to rotate the strike and carve out crucial partnerships to lead their team to a gigantic total. The Pakistani bowlers will aim to overcome this vulnerability against India and build a disciplined effort against a determined Indian batting line-up.
Pakistan’s predicted playing XI for the Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India
1. Imam-ul-Haq
- Importance: Provide strength and stability to the opening pair and provide the team a solid start with his ability to face seam movement and play shots according to the merit of the ball.
- Role: Imam has the responsibility to overcome the early threats from Indian batters and support Babar on the other end to give the team the kind of start Pakistan needs in a high-stake match.
2. Babar Azam
- Importance: The most formidable and important batter for Pakistan. Babar has the responsibility to emerge as the leader for the team in batting line-up and keep the flow of the runs steady.
- Role: Act as a pivot for the Pakistani innings, Babar’s role in the team is to constantly rotate the strike and keep the run-rate in check. Babar is also crucial for providing the other batters the kind of independence they need to play big shots.
3. Saud Shakeel
- Importance: Saud Shakeel is known for his patient build-up and batting temperament in limited overs and provide strength to the team in adverse situations
- Role: To hold the fall of wickets from one end and develop crucial partnerships with openers and middle-order batters so that the innings may transition towards scoring quick runs.
4. Mohammad Rizwan (captain)
- Importance: The leader of the squad, the run-chase specialist and carry the team at critical junctures.
- Role: Rizwan has the crucial role of carrying the Pakistani innings on his shoulders and building a long partnership with middle and lower order batters. Apart from that, he is responsible for the team’s on-field decision-making.
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5. Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain)
- Importance: Salman Ali Agha has the ability to score runs for the team and thrive in pressure situations. He is also responsible for developing a robust support system for Rizwan in the middle-order.
- Role: To provide match-winning performances with the bat and the bowl and take the team to the finish line by carving out batting and bowling partnerships.
6. Tayyab Tahir
- Importance: Hold the pace and consistency of the Pakistani innings from one end and provide liberty to other batters to score some quick runs in death overs.
- Role: A disciplined batter responsible to act as a bridge between the middle and lower-order.
7. Khushdil Shah
- Importance: Provide the team with explosive batting during the death overs and score some quick runs at the end of the innings.
- Role: Khushdil Shah can support set batters from the other end and bowl crucial overs in the middle of the innings to give some important rest to more traditional batters.
8. Shaheen Afridi
- Importance: The leader of the team in pace attack, crucial in providing early breakthrough to the team.
- Role: Shaheen Afridi is responsible for leading the pace attack and dismissing the rival opening pair with his lethal seam movement.
9. Naseem Shah
- Importance: Provide crucial support to Shaheen from the other end and trouble the batters with his pace and consistency.
- Role: Restrict the batters during powerplay and aim for some early wickets for his side.
10. Haris Rauf
- Importance: Provide the team with experience in the pace attack and instill big match temperament to other pacers.
- Role: Haris Rauf provides the team with pace threat during the middle overs and choke the flow of the runs.
11. Abrar Ahmad
- Importance: Provide the team with the spin threat and trouble the batters with his turning deliveries.
- Role: Abrar has the ability to slow down the pace of the game and trouble the batters as a traditional spin bowler.
