Pakistan Gains Confidence from Rizwan, but Bowling Struggles Continue

Published on: February 16, 2025

Pakistan Gains Confidence from Rizwan, but Bowling Struggles Continue

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 Campaign: Strengths, Concerns, and Key Players

Pakistan enters the Champions Trophy as the defending champions, but their preparation has been far from ideal. While the form of Mohammad Rizwan is a major positive, the team faces significant challenges, particularly in their bowling department. Injuries, inconsistent form, and selection dilemmas have left the squad looking weaker than it did at the end of last year.

This article delves into the key aspects of Pakistan’s squad, their strengths and weaknesses, their opponents, and their recent performances in ODIs.

Squad Overview and Key Selection Dilemmas

Pakistan has had to make some last-minute changes to their squad due to injuries and form concerns. One of the biggest setbacks has been the injury to Saim Ayub, who was instrumental in Pakistan’s three series wins at the end of 2024. His absence has forced the team management to rethink their lineup, and the resulting tweaks have arguably left the squad weaker than it was a few months ago.

Table of Contents

The bowling department, in particular, has struggled to find its rhythm, looking ordinary in the recent tri-series, where Pakistan lost two out of three matches. In response, Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf have been recalled after long absences, but neither has the proven pedigree to guarantee success at this level.

Changes in Batting Order

One of the notable changes in the squad is the decision to promote Babar Azam to the opening slot alongside Fakhar Zaman. While Fakhar has made an impressive return to the side, the shift in Babar’s position could have repercussions for the balance of the batting lineup. The middle order, already weakened by Saim Ayub’s absence, now relies heavily on Mohammad Rizwan to provide stability.

Pakistan’s lower middle order remains a concern, as it lacks both experience and a genuine match-winner who can turn games around in difficult situations. The presence of all-rounders like Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf might provide some depth, but whether they can deliver under pressure remains uncertain.

IPL Teams Pour ₹3,257 Crore into England’s The Hundred, Raising Questions for Pakistan Players

Spin Attack and Lack of Depth

One of the most concerning aspects of Pakistan’s squad is their lack of specialist spinners, which could be a major disadvantage in conditions that typically favor slow bowling. Pakistan has included only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, which suggests they are placing significant faith in part-time options like Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha.

This approach is undoubtedly a risk. While both Khushdil and Salman can contribute with the ball, neither has the pedigree of a frontline spinner who can consistently trouble top-quality opposition. If Abrar Ahmed struggles, Pakistan may find themselves lacking control in the middle overs, an area that has traditionally been crucial in Champions Trophy tournaments.

Pakistan’s Fixtures in the Group Stage

Pakistan finds itself in a tough group alongside New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh. Their path to the knockout rounds will not be easy, especially given their recent struggles.
1. February 19 – New Zealand
• Pakistan opens their campaign against a full-strength New Zealand side that has already beaten them twice in the recent tri-series. This match will set the tone for their tournament, and a loss could put immediate pressure on their semi-final qualification hopes.
2. February 23 – India
• The highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India is always a marquee event. Pakistan’s bowling attack will need to be at its best to challenge India’s strong batting lineup.
3. February 27 – Bangladesh
• While Bangladesh may be seen as the weakest side in the group, they have the potential to cause an upset, especially given Pakistan’s inconsistency in recent months.

Best XI for Pakistan

Based on current form and squad composition, Pakistan’s likely playing XI for the Champions Trophy will be:
1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
5. Salman Ali Agha
6. Tayyab Tahir
7. Khushdil Shah
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Naseem Shah
10.Haris Rauf
11. Abrar Ahmed

Reserves: Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Kamran Ghulam, Usman Khan

Key Players to Watch

Mohammad Rizwan – The Backbone of Pakistan’s Batting

While Babar Azam has the star power and Fakhar Zaman brings aggression at the top, Mohammad Rizwan is arguably Pakistan’s most reliable batter right now. His ability to hold the innings together while accelerating when needed makes him invaluable to this Pakistan team.

Rizwan played a crucial role in the recent tri-series, forming a record-breaking partnership with Salman Ali Agha to guide Pakistan into the final. His consistency and adaptability will be critical, especially when the top order fails to deliver.

If Pakistan is to make a deep run in this tournament, Rizwan’s ability to absorb pressure and control chases will be vital. His experience and temperament make him one of the most important players in this squad.

Shaheen Afridi – The Spearhead of the Attack

Pakistan’s pace attack has talent, but it lacks consistency. Shaheen Afridi remains their best bowler, capable of delivering game-changing spells, especially with the new ball. However, he will need support from Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, both of whom have struggled for form recently.

If Pakistan’s bowlers can make early breakthroughs, they will have a much better chance of controlling games. But if they fail to strike early, their lack of a strong spin attack could leave them vulnerable in the middle overs.

PAK vs NZ Final Match Prediction – Who Will Come Out on Top?

Key Stats and Historical Perspective

Pakistan’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy is almost completely different from the one that won the title in 2017. Only two players from that victorious squad—Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam—remain in the current squad.

Historically, Pakistan’s Champions Trophy record has been poor, aside from their triumph in 2017. Before that, they had been eliminated before the semi-finals in four of the seven editions they participated in.

The 2017 campaign saw Pakistan break a six-match losing streak in the tournament, but whether they can replicate that success with this current squad remains to be seen.

Recent ODI Form and Performance Leading into the Tournament

Pakistan’s form in ODIs over the past year has been mixed. Up until a week ago, their record in the format looked strong, having won three consecutive away series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. They lost only two ODIs in the process and even dismantled Australia in the final two matches of that series.

However, their performance in the recent tri-series at home has raised concerns. While they managed to chase down their highest-ever ODI total against South Africa, they were comfortably beaten by New Zealand twice—including in the final in Karachi, where the two teams will meet again in the tournament opener.

These recent struggles suggest that Pakistan is not as dominant in ODIs as their record earlier in the year suggested, and they will need significant improvements, particularly in bowling, to be competitive in the Champions Trophy.

Conclusion: Can Pakistan Defend Their Title?

Pakistan enters the Champions Trophy as defending champions, but their path to retaining the title is fraught with challenges. While Mohammad Rizwan’s form is a major positive, the team has glaring weaknesses, particularly in their bowling attack and spin options.

The lack of a second specialist spinner could hurt them in subcontinental conditions, and their lower middle order remains fragile. With tough matches against New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh, Pakistan’s road to the semi-finals is far from guaranteed.

For Pakistan to succeed, they will need their pace attack to fire, their middle order to step up, and Rizwan to continue his fine form. Whether they can overcome their weaknesses and make another deep run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign will be anything but predictable.