Former Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, the winning captain of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, spoke about how batting of openers Fakhar Zaman and a more “adult” Babar Azam helps the hosts in their deficiency defense from 19 February. Pakistan will start the Champions trophy with the tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. This time Pakistan will join the Fakhar's duo, the centurio of the team in the 2017 final against arch -rivals India and Babar as openers.
Speaking about the team composition, said Sarfaraz, who last played an ODI for Pakistan in 2021 and an international match in 2023, as quoted by ICC: “Pakistan has a really good chance of defending that title and I think they have a strong have a team.
“He is a different babar than the one who played in 2017, a more mature player and a dominant player in the game. His batting will be so important for Pakistan and that will also be Fakhar Zaman.”
Babar, however, is examined for his shape, after he last hit an ODI century against Nepal during the Asia Cup in August 2023. It was also his last international century and struggled with his conversion rate in all sizes. Over the last eight ODIs since 2024, Babar has made 261 runs in eight innings on an average of 43.50, with two half centuries and the best score of 73.
Fakhar, on the other hand, has been in a red -hot form since 2023. Since then he has played 22 ODIs and scored 989 points on an average of 52.05 and a success rate of around 96, with four centuries and three fifte -year years. If Babar is known for calculated risks, it is Fakhar who takes the game since Ball One.
He also said that Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf also perform well.
“The captain, Mohammad Rizwan, is also a Wicketkeeper-Batter, who worked pretty well in 2017,” he added.
In anticipation of the Intense, Blockbuster collision against arch rivals India in Dubai on February 23, Sarfaraz wants men to play in Green Intense but smart cricket against arch-rival India on February 23, when the two parties in Dubai are confronted.
“When we meet each other, it is a special occasion and there is so much hype and pressure around it. But as players you have to stay calm, try to block that noise and simply play with the same intensity if you would play Australia or another team, “The former Slagman said.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the return of the tournament after an eight -year -old hiatus and will take place in Pakistan from 19 February. As a host country and defensive champions, Pakistan will compete with seven of the world's best teams to keep their title.
The eight teams are divided into two groups for the opening phase of the tournament. Each team plays three group stage matches, with the top two of each group that goes to the semi-final.
Group A contains Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and New Zealand, while group B Afghanistan, England, Australia and South Africa comprises.
Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (C), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Aghain, Abrar, Hammeem, Hammeem, Hammemem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan matches for Champions Trophy: against New Zealand (19 February in Karachi), India (February 23 in Dubai and Bangladesh (27 February in Rawalpindi).
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