Host Pakistan has recalled opening batter Fakhar Zaman and allrounder Faheem Ashraf for the Champions Trophy and ruled out Saim Ayub due to a broken ankle.

From experienced campaigners making a comeback to a key run-scorer being sidelined by injury, there were multiple talking points from Pakistan's 15-member Champions Trophy squad.

Pakistan announces its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with Mohammad Rizwan as captain. Notable absentee Saim Ayub misses out due to injury, whereas veteran Fakhar Zaman returns. The team will face New Zealand and India in the group stage under the guidance of Interim Coach Aaqib Javed.

Pakistan selectors on Friday sprung a surprise by including just one specialist spinner and picking nine batsmen in their 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy beginning next month. Abrar Ahmed, 26, the only specialist spinner in the squad captained by Mohammad Rizwan, has played four ODIs taking 10 wickets with a best of 4/33.

Fakhar Zaman, hero of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, has not represented the Men in Green since last year’s T20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean and has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup.

Veteran Fakhar Zaman is in the mix, having played a monumental role in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. He scored a maiden ODI ton (114 off 106 deliveries) at The Oval, London, as Pakistan beat India by 180 runs to claim the silverware. Also recalled are Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakeel.