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Pakistan will open its campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 19 against New Zealand and then face arch-rivals India in a high-voltage match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.
Salman Ali Agha backs Pakistan to do well in Champions Trophy 2025. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Star Pakistani all-rounder Salman Agha, who is also the vice-captain of white-ball teams, has backed Pakistan to do well in the upcoming 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. The premier ICC tournament, which is making a comeback after eight years, is set to start on February 19 with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand at National Stadium in Karachi. Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai will also host the matches of the eight-team tournament, the final of which is scheduled to take place on March 9.
According to Salman, Pakistan’s preparations are on track for the first major ICC event in the country since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
“We are ready for the Champions Trophy as we have just completed a long season and have another long season ahead. Our preparation is solid,” Agha was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
The 31-year-old cricketer from Lahore, who played a big role in the team’s recent ODI series wins in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, also provided a big fitness update about star opening batter Saim Ayub. Saim suffered an ankle injury during the second Test of the recently concluded series against South Africa and is a doubtful starter for the ICC Champions Trophy.
“The reports suggest that Saim Ayub will recover before the Champions Trophy. Please pray for his speedy recovery,” he said.
Salman also discussed improvements in his bowling and readiness to bat at any position. He praised the excitement of playing in international stadiums where fans can see their favourite players up close, adding that it enhances the overall experience.
Pakistan yet to announce squad
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to announce the Men in Green’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series at home against the West Indies, the tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand, and the ICC Champions Trophy. It will be interesting to see if out-of-favour top-order batter Fakhar Zaman manages to find a place in the white-ball teams or not. Fakhar, who was dropped from central contracts, last played for the 2017 Champions Trophy winners in the T20 World Cup 2024 but failed to do much with the bat as a middle-order batter.
