The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the Pakistan Shaheens squads for the upcoming warm-up matches ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. These matches will serve as crucial preparation for both Pakistan and the visiting international teams before the tournament begins. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, the Pakistan Shaheens are set to face Afghanistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh in highly anticipated practice matches.
Warm-Up Matches Schedule
The Pakistan Shaheens will compete in the following warm-up matches before the Champions Trophy:
- Pakistan Shaheens vs. Afghanistan
- Date: February 14, 2025
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Captain: Shadab Khan
- Coach-cum-Manager: Mansoor Amjad
- Pakistan Shaheens vs. South Africa
- Date: February 17, 2025
- Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
- Captain: Mohammad Huraira
- Coach-cum-Manager: Ijaz Ahmed Junior
- Pakistan Shaheens vs. Bangladesh
- Date: February 17, 2025
- Venue: ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai
- Captain: Mohammad Haris
- Coach-cum-Manager: Umar Gul
Pakistan Shaheens Squad for Warm-Up Matches
The PCB has named different squads for each match to provide maximum exposure to young players while ensuring experienced campaigners lead the team. Here’s a breakdown of the squads:
Squad for Pakistan Shaheens vs. Afghanistan:
- Shadab Khan (Captain)
- Abdul Faseeh
- Arafat Minhas
- Hussain Talat
- Jahandad Khan
- Kashif Ali
- Mohsin Riaz
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Amir Khan
- Muhammad Akhlaq
- Muhammad Imran Randhawa
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
Squad for Pakistan Shaheens vs. South Africa:
- Mohammad Huraira (Captain)
- Amad Butt
- Faisal Akram
- Hassan Nawaz
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Khurram Shahzad
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mehran Mumtaz
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori
- Niaz Khan
- Qasim Akram
- Saad Khan
Squad for Pakistan Shaheens vs. Bangladesh:
- Mohammad Haris (Captain)
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdul Samad
- Ali Raza
- Azan Awais
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Mubasir Khan
- Musa Khan
- Omair Bin Yousuf
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Sufiyan Moqim
- Usama Mir
Key Highlights of the Pakistan Shaheens Squads
- Strong Leadership: Each squad is captained by a promising leader—Shadab Khan, Mohammad Huraira, and Mohammad Haris—who have proven themselves in domestic and international cricket.
- Balanced Lineup: The squads feature a mix of senior players and young emerging cricketers, ensuring Pakistan’s depth in talent is well utilized.
- Strategic Warm-Up Matches: These games will allow the team management to assess player form, finalize playing combinations, and provide exposure to youngsters against quality opposition.
- Focus on Spin & Pace: With the inclusion of spinners like Usama Mir and leg-spin all-rounders like Shadab Khan, Pakistan is gearing up for conditions expected in the Champions Trophy. Additionally, young pacers like Mohammad Amir Khan and Musa Khan will have the opportunity to showcase their skills.
Significance of the Warm-Up Matches
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is one of the biggest cricketing events, and Pakistan, as the host nation, will be keen on making a strong impact. These warm-up matches serve multiple purposes:
- Testing Team Combinations: The selectors and coaches will analyze different player combinations before finalizing the main squad.
- Adapting to Home Conditions: Though Pakistan is hosting the event, these matches will allow players to adjust to varying conditions across Lahore, Karachi, and Dubai.
- Building Momentum: Winning these practice matches will provide Pakistan with confidence heading into the tournament.
- Developing Young Talent: Several emerging players will get international-level exposure, which will help strengthen Pakistan’s bench strength.
Final Thoughts
The announcement of the Pakistan Shaheens squads for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches has created excitement among fans and cricket enthusiasts. With a well-balanced mix of youth and experience, Pakistan is ensuring that their team is well-prepared for the main event.
Cricket lovers will be eagerly watching how the Shaheens perform in these matches, as it will give a glimpse into Pakistan’s potential for the upcoming tournament. Stay tuned for further updates on match results, player performances, and key takeaways as Pakistan gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
Are you excited about Pakistan’s journey in the Champions Trophy? Let us know in the comments!
