Consultations are ongoing to finalize Pakistan’s ODI squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, with selectors considering a replacement for Saim Ayub in case he is deemed unfit.
According to sources, Pakistan will participate in a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy. If no additional changes are needed, the squad for the tri-series is likely to remain the same for the Champions Trophy.
Out-of-form players Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are expected to be dropped, while Fakhar Zaman is likely to return to the squad. Imam-ul-Haq and Haseebullah are also under consideration.
Other probable selections include Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan Niazi. Among bowlers, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufiyan Muqeem are expected to feature.
While other teams have finalized their squads, Pakistan has submitted a preliminary list to the ICC. The final squad must be announced by February 11, with the tri-series scheduled to begin on February 8.
