Fakhar Zaman OUT, 2 Players IN: Pakistan's Likely Playing XI For Champions Trophy Match Against India

Fakhar Zaman, who suffered an injury while fielding during Pakistan's first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand, was ruled out of the entire tournament on February 20. Pakistan will face India in the second Group A match of the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, February 23. The match scheduled to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium will be a must-win for Men in Green.

If Pakistan lose against India and New Zealand beat Bangladesh on Monday, February 24, then the defending champions will get knocked out of the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal race, and their title defence will come to an end. For the do-or-die match against India, Pakistan will miss the services of Fakhar Zaman. The left-handed opening batter was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday, February 20, due to an oblique tear.



Fakhar, who scored a century (114) against India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy at The Oval on June 18, 2017, injured himself while fielding against New Zealand in the first match. He has been replaced in the squad by left-handed batter Imam-ul-Haq. Imam last played an ODI match for Pakistan on October 27, 2023, against South Africa in Chennai.

Also Read: India’s likely playing XI against Pakistan The 29-year-old batter, who has 3138 runs to his name in 72 ODIs played so far, will straightaway be included in the playing XI and open for the Men in Green along with Babar Azam. Babar scored 64 runs for the Mohammad Rizwan-led side in the tournament opener against New Zealand but took 90 balls. After getting heavily criticised for his poor approach in the 321-run chase, the former Pakistani captain would like to come up with a big show against India.

For the match against India, Pakistan could include Kamran Ghulam in the playing XI in place of Tayyab Tahir to strengthen the batting unit. Tahir was only able to score 1 run from five balls against New Zealand in Karachi. Rizwan is all set to bat at No.

4, followed by vice-captain Salman Ali Agha at 5 and Saud Shakeel at 6. Khushdil Shah top-scored (69 runs from 49 balls) for Pakistan against the Black Caps, and the left-handed batter would like to maintain his performance. The Pakistani team management and fans will hope for a much-improved show from the pace troika of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf against the archrivals.

The star bowling trip looked off-colour in the last match and conceded 214 runs in 30 overs. Abrar Ahmed is the lone spinner in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad, and he is set to retain his place in the playing XI. Pakistan’s likely playing XI for the Champions Trophy 2025 against India: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

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