Pakistan’s opening pair for the Champions Trophy 2025 might have a fresh look as reports suggest that Saud Shakeel is set to open alongside Fakhar Zaman. This comes after Saim Ayub’s injury, which forced the selectors to rethink their strategy.
A New Opening Combination:
Pakistan’s struggle to find a consistent opening pair in ODIs has been a major issue. With Abdullah Shafique left out of the squad entirely, the team management appears to be experimenting with a new combination. Saud Shakeel, traditionally a middle-order batter, is now being considered for the opening role in the upcoming Tri-Series and Champions Trophy.
Why Saud Shakeel?
Saud Shakeel has primarily played in the middle order for Pakistan across formats. However, his solid technique and ability to rotate the strike make him a potential candidate to partner Fakhar Zaman at the top. His composed batting style could work well alongside Fakhar’s aggressive approach, creating a balanced opening combination.
Lack of Opening Experience:
Despite his talent, Saud Shakeel has never opened for Pakistan in international cricket. He has batted in various positions from No. 4 to No. 9 but has not faced the challenge of opening in ODIs or Tests. His only experience as an opener comes from domestic cricket and his time with Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Champions Trophy Preparations:
Pakistan will first test this opening experiment in the Tri-Series against New Zealand and South Africa before finalizing their lineup for the Champions Trophy. These matches will help determine if Saud Shakeel can handle the new-ball pressure and succeed in this new role.
Concerns and Challenges:
A major concern is that Saud Shakeel last played an ODI for Pakistan in 2023 during the ODI World Cup. Since then, he has been a regular in the Test squad but has not been active in Pakistan’s ODI setup. His lack of recent experience in limited-overs cricket could be a challenge if he is expected to perform at the highest level immediately.
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