Fakhar Zaman’s Opening Partner For Champions Trophy Revealed?

Pakistan cricket team’s opening partnership woes could be coming to an end after Saud Shakeel was included in the squad for the Champions Trophy.

According to reports, the opening combination for the upcoming Tri-Series and Champions Trophy 2025 appears to be taking shape, with Saud Shakeel rumored to partner Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order following Saim Ayub’s injury. Pakistan’s other recent opener in ODIs, Abdullah Shafique, was left out entirely, raising questions about the team’s strategy for the opening slots.

The decision to push Saud Shakeel up the order signals a strategic shift by Pakistan’s selectors. Primarily known for his performances in the middle order, Shakeel has impressed with his adaptability and technique, making him a strong candidate to fill the void in Pakistan’s opening partnership. His ability to rotate the strike and anchor innings could complement Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive stroke play.

However, Saud Shakeel has never opened the batting for Pakistan in any international format but has turned up in the lineup for Quetta Gladiators. Instead, he has batted in positions ranging from No. 4 to No. 9 across all formats.

The upcoming Tri-Series fixtures against New Zealand and South Africa will provide a clearer picture of whether this promotion sticks. Adding to the concerns is the fact that Saud Shakeel last played an ODI for Pakistan in 2023 during the ODI World Cup, although he has been a regular contributor to the Test team in recent years.

Saud Shakeel’s ODI Stats (Batting):

With the Tri-Series serving as a preparatory tournament, Pakistan is expected to finalize its preferred opening combination before the Champions Trophy 2025. If Shakeel performs well alongside Fakhar Zaman, he is likely to retain his spot for the high-stakes ICC event.