ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the cricketing landscape has dramatically shifted since the national team’s historic triumph in 2017. Remarkably, only three players from the victorious squad—Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Faheem Ashraf—are part of this Champions Trophy to defend the crown in this upcoming mega tournament.
Reflecting on the 2017 triumph
Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win was a historic moment, marked by a remarkable comeback from an initial loss to India. Under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed, the team showcased resilience, culminating in a stunning final where they defeated India by 180 runs.
The victory was a testament to the depth of talent within the squad and is fondly remembered by fans. However, the journey since then has been one of ups and downs for many of the heroes from that day.
Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winning squad
Following their initial defeat, Pakistan orchestrated an incredible comeback, triumphing in four consecutive matches—despite featuring three debutants Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf and Rumman Raees on the field—to secure the 2017 Champions Trophy.
WE News English look into the journey of the players from Pakistan’s victorious 2017 Champions Trophy squad and finds out where are they now?
Sarfaraz Ahmed (C & WK)
The last skipper to steer Pakistan to a global title and the standout performer during the thrilling pursuit against Sri Lanka, Sarfaraz Ahmed has seen his position usurped by Mohammad Rizwan, who is set to captain the team in the 2025 tournament.
Although Sarfaraz has served as the reserve wicketkeeper for the Test squad and has stepped in for Rizwan in the playing XI, his appearances in limited-overs internationals have been absent since 2021.
Nevertheless, he remains a vibrant presence in domestic cricket, where he not only competes actively but also serves as one of the five mentors appointed by the PSL.
Imad Wasim (Vice Captain)
A highly coveted star in the world of franchise cricket, Imad Wasim shone brightly in the 2024 PSL final, earning the Player of the Match title with a stunning five-wicket haul.
Shortly after this triumphant performance, he decided to unretire, making his mark once again in the 2024 T20 World Cup, only to hang up his boots once more soon after.
Mohammad Amir
Seven years after a scandal shook his career in London, Amir rose from the ashes as a hero in the same city, dismantling India’s legendary top order during the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
By mid-2020, he found himself playing in franchise leagues before making a comeback, participating in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and then retiring again, mirroring Imad’s journey.
Shoaib Malik
Continuing to play until 2021, Malik joined an elite group of cricketers who have represented their nation across four decades.
His illustrious career, predating T20 cricket itself, remains vibrant; he was an active competitor in 2024’s BPL, PSL, and the Champions T20 Cup. Like Sarfaraz, he serves as one of the five appointed mentors in the PSL.
Mohammad Hafeez
Known as “The Professor,” Hafeez hasn’t graced the professional cricket field since 2023, six years after his explosive innings helped Pakistan reach a formidable 338-4.
His brief tenure as director of the national men’s team began unexpectedly in November 2023 and concluded just as swiftly in February 2024.
Babar Azam
Once a promising young talent, Babar Azam has endured a remarkable evolution over the last eight years, navigating two terms as national captain and establishing himself among the elite batters in modern cricket—particularly in ODIs.
Despite facing setbacks, he has put those challenges behind him and is poised for a pivotal chapter in his career and especially in this CT 2025.
ALSO READ: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman to Open for Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy
Ahmed Shehzad
The trailblazer who became the first Pakistani to achieve centuries in all three formats, Shehzad has not donned the national colours since 2019, nor played in the PSL since 2020, ultimately retiring in 2023 after alleging systematic exclusion by the franchises.
Yet, his batting prowess remains evident, boasting an impressive 51.25 average in first-class cricket during the 2021-22 season, and an even more remarkable 68.63 in 2023-24. In August 2024, he opted out of the Champions Cup.
Azhar Ali
Often forgotten, Azhar was instrumental in securing key fifties during both the semi-final and final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. Although he has only played three ODIs since then, he concluded his Test career with an impressive tally of 7,142 runs—the fifth-highest for Pakistan.
Recently appointed to a new selection panel during the 2024-25 England series, he played a crucial role in transforming a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 victory. Alongside this, Azhar is also spearheading youth development for the PCB.
Hassan Ali
The standout performer and Player of the Tournament at the 2017 Champions Trophy, Hassan enjoyed an outstanding 2021. However, he struggled for form in 2022 and remained active internationally until May 2024.
This summer, he played for Warwickshire and plans to return to them in 2025. While he may not currently be in the national team’s plans, a comeback is certainly on the horizon.
Junaid Khan
Not having represented Pakistan since 2019 and stepping away from professional cricket in 2022, Junaid found a new purpose as an assistant coach when Mohammad Wasim took the helm of the Pakistan women’s team.
Haris Sohail
Selected for the ODI series against New Zealand in May 2023, Haris suffered a shoulder injury that ruled him out of contention.
Since then, despite numerous changes to the squad, he hasn’t returned to the field or played professionally. Rumours of his retirement swirled, which he dispelled in November 2024.
Shadab Khan
The youngest member of the champion squad, Shadab entered the tournament with only three ODIs to his name and became the youngest player to feature in an ICC ODI final.
ALSO READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Who is the Favourite?
Over the years, he has grown into the role of vice-captain and solidified his position as a T20 stalwart, both for the national team and in franchise cricket. At just 26, he remains active in domestic and league tournaments. Unfortunately, he is not included in the playing squad for 2025.
Fakhar Zaman
Among Pakistan’s three debutants in the tournament, Fakhar made headlines with a brilliant fifty in the semi-final and an unforgettable century in the final.
His career, marked by extraordinary innings interspersed with frustrating lows, has seen him shift in and out of the team. Nonetheless, he is a key member of the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Faheem Ashraf
Another debutant from the 2017 Champions Trophy, Faheem is also part of the 2025 squad. Despite not having played for Pakistan in any format since 2023—though he captained the team in the 2024 Hong Kong Super Sixes—he has remained active in domestic cricket and featured in the 2025 BPL.
Rumman Raees
After stepping in following Wahab Riaz’s early exit in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Rumman made his ODI debut in the semi-final but missed the final. Since 2018, he has been absent from the national team and domestic cricket, apart from the PSL. Nevertheless, he made his presence felt by playing for Team Abu Dhabi in the Abu Dhabi T10 in November 2025.
Wahab Riaz
Unfortunately ruled out after just one match in the 2017 Champions Trophy, Wahab remained an active domestic player and took on the role of caretaker sports minister for Punjab in January 2023. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed sports and youth affairs advisor to the Punjab chief minister, though he could not take his oath due to a scheduling conflict with the PSL. He announced his retirement from international cricket in August and was named chief selector of the men’s team in November, but was dismissed from this role in July 2024.
Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule
- February 19, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi
- February 20, Bangladesh v India, Dubai, UAE
- February 21, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi
- February 22, Australia v England, Lahore
- February 23, Pakistan v India, Dubai
- February 24, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi
- February 25, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi
- February 26, Afghanistan v England, Lahore
- February 27, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
- February 28, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore
- March 1, South Africa v England, Karachi
- March 2, New Zealand v India, Dubai, UAE
- March 4, Semi-final 1, Dubai, UAE
- March 5, Semi-final 2, Lahore
- March 9, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)
- March 10, Reserve day
