Courtesy: PCB/X
Pakistan have to solve their opening conundrum as Saim Ayub isn’t a part of the defending champions’ squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be held from February 19 to March 9. The left-handed batter suffered an ankle injury during the South Africa Test series in January. The injury ended his chances of participation in the massive tournament to be primarily hosted by his nation.
Before the marquee ODI event, the Men in Green will host New Zealand and South Africa for the tri-series from February 8 to 14. The first game of the competition will kick off with the clash between the hosts Pakistan and the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Ahead of the Kiwi challenge, captain Mohammad Rizwan addressed a press conference and replied to a journalist’s question regarding Pakistan’s opening pair. During the press conference, a journalist asked Rizwan to reveal who’s going to open for Pakistan, in which the 32-year-old cited pacer Hasan Ali’s old statement in a TV interview “King kar lega (King will do it).”
“Kaun open karega toh woh wala raaz jo hai open kar hi de (Can you please open the secret about who will open)”, the journalist posed a question to Rizwan. Wearing a smile on his face, he replied with hesitation, “Iske jawab ke kya….Hasan ne ek baat kahi thi naa king kar lega (what to answer…. You remember Hasan said the king will do it).Rizwan’s reply made the ambiance lively as journalists present in the press conference laughed. The skipper indicated that Babar Azam can be seen starting Pakistan's innings with the veteran Fakhar Zaman.
Champions Trophy will return after eight years
The Champions Trophy will make a comeback after eight years as the last installment of the multi-nation competition was held in 2017 in England. Hosts Pakistan will defend the title under Mohammad Rizwan as the Men in Green won their maiden trophy under Sarfaraz Ahmed, by beating their arch-rivals India by 180 runs in the final of the previous edition of the illustrious tournament held at the Oval.
Cricket fans are eager to watch the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan again as both quality sides will face each other at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23. Rizwan and his men will look to clinch their first ODI win against the Men in Blue in eight years.
