Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Squad Opts for Youth Over Imam

Pakistan`s 2025 Champions Trophy squad excludes Imam-ul-Haq despite domestic form; tour concludes India leg, focuses on middle-order imbalance.

The ICC Men`s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour concluded its India leg on February 3, 2025, with stops in Mumbai and Bengaluru, building anticipation for the February 19 to March 9 event. Pakistan finalized its 15-member squad, omitting experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq despite his recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy performance (635 runs in 9 innings at 79.37). The squad prioritizes middle-order depth with Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, and Fakhar Zaman alongside captain Babar Azam. Imam shared a cryptic message on X: “This is how life is…”, reflecting on his exclusion. The Trophy Tour, partnering with DP World, reached iconic venues like Mumbai`s Wankhede Stadium, where India`s Rohit Sharma posed with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Diana Edulji. Bengaluru`s M Chinnaswamy Stadium also hosted the Trophy Carnival, sparking regional excitement. The tournament will be split between Pakistan and UAE, with Sharjah`s Sharjah Cricket Stadium a potential venue. Pakistan`s squad (Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan, Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah) under captain Rizwan aims for a middle-order balance, trading Imam`s stability for power-hitting depth. Imam`s domestic revamp (635 runs at 79.37) didn`t sway selectors, who highlighted Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel as opening candidates. Meanwhile, the International League T20 2025 match between Desert Vipers and Dubai Capitals at Sharjah (February 3, 8 PM IST) remains eager to kick off, though live scores are yet to emerge. Cricket fans await real-time updates as the Champions Trophy looms.

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