The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place after eight years, with Pakistan as the host and defending champion. The excitement in the country is immense, and Pakistan’s squad was officially announced on January 31, 2025. The team features a mix of star players and some surprise additions.
Pakistan’s strength lies in its bowling attack, and Shaheen Afridi is the leader of the pack. He is known for his ability to swing the ball with both the new and old ball. However, injuries have troubled Shaheen Afridi in the past, and Pakistan needs backup options in case he is unavailable. Here are three key players who need to step up if Shaheen Afridi gets injured during the Champions Trophy 2025.
- Shaheen Afridi is Pakistan’s leading fast bowler, but injuries remain a concern.
- Faheem Ashraf provides swing with the new ball and can contribute with the bat.
- Haris Rauf needs to step up as the senior pacer and take wickets with the new ball.
- Naseem Shah has the potential to lead the attack and perform in all phases of an innings.
Faheem Ashraf: A Crucial All-Rounder
Faheem Ashraf’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad surprised many. He last played an ODI for Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 but has regained form through strong performances in the Bangladesh Premier League and Champions One Day Cup.
- Strong Domestic Performance: Faheem has taken 20 wickets in 11 innings in the Bangladesh Premier League.
- Ability to Swing the New Ball: Shaheen Afridi is known for taking early wickets. If he is unavailable, Faheem Ashraf must take on that role.
- All-Round Skills: Apart from bowling, he is also a capable batsman, making him a valuable asset.
In the Champions One-Day Cup 2024, Faheem took seven wickets in four matches, including crucial dismissals of Agha Salman and Iftikhar Ahmed. His experience of 115 wickets in 92 List A matches and 26 wickets at the international level proves his ability.
Haris Rauf: The Speedster
If Shaheen Afridi is unavailable, Haris Rauf will be Pakistan’s most experienced pacer. He is a genuine wicket-taker and played a significant role in Pakistan’s recent series win against Australia, taking 10 wickets in three ODIs.
- ODI Record: Haris Rauf has taken 82 wickets in 45 matches, with an impressive average of 25.76.
- Middle Overs Specialist: Rauf is known for picking wickets in the middle and death overs.
- Challenge of New Ball Bowling: He has only 14 wickets in the first 10 overs of an ODI, so he must adjust if he opens the bowling attack.
With Pakistan’s pitches expected to be flat, Rauf’s ability to use extra pace and variations will be crucial. His record of 26 wickets in 16 matches in Pakistan shows he can perform well in home conditions.
Naseem Shah: The Young Sensation
Naseem Shah has made rapid progress in international cricket and is Pakistan’s designated opening bowler alongside Shaheen Afridi. If Shaheen is unavailable, Naseem will have to lead the new ball attack.
- Impressive ODI Stats: Naseem has taken 42 wickets in just 20 ODIs with an average of 20.02.
- Powerplay Wickets: Naseem has taken 12 wickets in the first five overs of an ODI, showing his ability to take early breakthroughs.
- Death Over Specialist: In the last five overs, Naseem has a better bowling average (9.8) than Shaheen Afridi (13.3).
While Naseem has shown promise, he will face greater responsibility in Shaheen’s absence. He will need to bowl in all phases of the innings, especially in the death overs where Shaheen has been Pakistan’s go-to bowler.
Pakistan’s bowling attack is one of the strongest in the Champions Trophy 2025, but injuries are unpredictable. If Shaheen Afridi is unavailable, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah must take extra responsibility. Their performances will determine Pakistan’s chances of defending the title at home.
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