Pakistan will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they take on India in the fifth game of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. The game is scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday (February 23).
Pakistan are on the verge of getting knocked out of the Champions Trophy after starting their campaign with a loss. The defending champions suffered a crushing 60-run loss at the hands of New Zealand in the tournament opener.
After New Zealand set Pakistan a target of 321 runs, the hosts hardly looked in contention to chase down the total and were eventually all out for only 260 runs.
Another loss against India could very well dump them out of the competition. So, as Pakistan looks to bounce back after the defeat, we are taking a look at the Pakistan Playing 11 for the IND vs PAK match.
Pakistan Playing 11 vs India- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match 5:
Openers: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam
Pakistan are set to have a new opening combination for the upcoming game against India. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam opened the innings for them in the first game against New Zealand.
However, Shakeel is expected to be replaced by Imam-ul-Haq in the Pakistan Playing 11 vs India. With Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the tournament due to an injury, Pakistan have recalled Imam and the southpaw is likely to partner Babar at the top of the order.
The onus will be on them to give Pakistan a good start in the must-win clash. Babar scored 64 runs in the first game but played 90 balls for that and will be keen to show more intent in the forthcoming game.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Usman Khan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah
With Pakistan’s Champions Trophy hopes hanging by a thread, captain Mohammad Rizwan will be desperate to lead the side from the front. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored only 3 runs in the last game and will be eyeing a big score.
Usman Khan could make his debut in the upcoming game against India. With Shakeel struggling to replicate his Test form in ODIs, Usman could find a place in the Pakistan Playing 11. Usman has played 18 T20Is for Pakistan so far.
Salman Agha started positively with the bat against New Zealand but could not last long. He scored 42 runs off just 28 balls and will look to deliver with the bat against India as well.
Tayyab Tahir will also be under pressure to deliver after scoring just 1 run against New Zealand. Khushdil Shah was Pakistan’s highest scorer in the first game. He scored 69 runs off just 49 balls and will be keen to score big against India as well.
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Even though Pakistan lost the opening game against New Zealand, they are unlikely to change their bowling lineup. The Pakistan Playing 11 vs India is likely to have three frontline pacers and one spinner.
Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf are expected to be the three pacers in the Pakistan Playing 11 vs India while Abrar Ahmed will be the lead spinner.