The Pakistan national cricket team squad for the ICC Champions Trophy and the upcoming Tri-Nation Series is expected to be announced later this week. Media reports suggest that the selection committee had already completed preliminary consultations during the ongoing Test series against the West Indies, but the final approval from PCB Chairman, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, is pending. The official squad will be revealed shortly.
Tri-Nation Series and Champions Trophy Connection
The squad selected for the Tri-Nation One-Day Series, which kicks off on February 8, will also represent Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the final squad must be announced by February 11, in line with ICC regulations. Any changes to the squad after this date will require approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Delay Due to Injury Concerns
The announcement of the squad had been delayed due to concerns regarding the injury of opener Saeem Ayub. The PCB and selection committee held off on finalizing the squad until they received his medical reports. However, sources now suggest that Saeem Ayub’s chances of making the final squad are slim, and the official announcement will take place this week.
Preliminary Squad for Champions Trophy
Earlier, reports revealed that Pakistan had submitted an initial squad of over 20 players for the Champions Trophy. This squad included notable players such as:
Captain Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam
Tayyab Tahir
Irfan Khan Niazi
Sufyan Maqeem
Mohammad Hasnain
Abdullah Shafique
Naseem Shah
Usman Khan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf
Abrar Ahmed
Kamran Ghulam
Salman Ali Agha
Imam-ul-Haq
Fakhar Zaman
Hasibullah
Abbas Afridi
Changes in Final Squad Likely
However, it is now expected that Saeem Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Usman Khan may not be included in the final squad. The confirmation of the final lineup will be made soon.
Tri-Nation Series to Kick Off on February 8
The Tri-Nation Series between Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa is set to begin on February 8, with the opening match featuring the host team Pakistan and New Zealand. This series will serve as preparation for the teams ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Conclusion
The anticipation surrounding Pakistan’s squad announcement for both the Tri-Nation Series and the Champions Trophy has left fans excited. With the final squad set to be revealed this week, cricket enthusiasts are eager to see which players will make the cut for the prestigious tournaments. Stay tuned for further updates as the squad announcement approaches.
