Pakistan's performance in recent ICC events wasn't great, but the Men in Green will be one of the favourites to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The hosts were clubbed with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in Group A. They need to finish in the top two to qualify for the semifinal. The defending champions will open their campaign against New Zealand on February 19 before taking on India on February 23 in Dubai. Their last league fixture will be against Bangladesh on February 27. Pakistan have done well in ODIs recently, having defeated Australia and South Africa away from home. They will play a tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa before the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy is yet to be announced but it shouldn't be too different from the team that played in South Africa. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf are some of the players certain to feature in the squad. Saim Ayub also confirmed himself a berth in the Pakistan squad after scoring two hundreds in the ODI series against South Africa. Abdullah Shafique had a horror run in South Africa and scored ducks in three ODIs. He is likely to be dropped for Fakhar Zaman. Muhammad Irfan Khan and Kamran Ghulam have shown glimpses of brilliance in the middle order and should be retained in the squad. Usman Khan should serve as a backup keeper. The concern for Pakistan lies in the spin department where they lack a match-winning spinner. Agha Salman has done well as an all-rounder, but can he take over the role of a specialist spinner? Pakistan could also consider bringing back veteran all-rounder Shadab Khan in the squad. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain should complete the pace quartet. Pakistan Likely Squad For ICC Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)