Pakistan likely to make one change for Champions Trophy clash against India: sources

DUBAI: Pakistan team management is likely to make one change to their Playing XI for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India, scheduled to be played here today.

According to reports, Imam-ul-Haq is likely to replace Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order, while the rest of the line-up will stay the same, which played in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.

For the unversed, Imam-ul-Haq was called up in the Pakistan squad as a replacement for Fakhar, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after he sustained an injury during the match against New Zealand.

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There were rumours of Babar Azam going back to his usual number three spot, however, recent reports suggest that he will continue to open the innings.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 60-run loss to New Zealand in their opening match in Karachi.

Meanwhile, India started their Champions Trophy campaign with a convincing win against Bangladesh as they comfortably chased a 229-run target against Bangladesh, thanks to a brilliant 101-run knock by Shubman Gill.

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Historically, Pakistan has a slight edge over India in the Champions Trophy, winning three out of their five meetings.

Their last encounter in the tournament was the 2017 final, where Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side produced a dominant performance, thrashing India by 180 runs to lift their first-ever Champions Trophy title.

Pakistan likely Playing XI for India clash: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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