Major Overhaul Considered for Pakistan Cricket Team Following Champions Trophy Exit

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating a significant restructuring of the national cricket team following the Green Shirts’ premature departure from the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, according to a report by The News on Monday. These changes are part of the PCB’s strategy to rebuild the team with a focus on long-term success. Sources indicate that captain Mohammad Rizwan will be rested as part of this overhaul, and all-rounder Shadab Khan is reportedly being considered for the captaincy role. This development comes against the backdrop of the Men in Green’s—who were also the defending champions—underwhelming performance in the first ICC event hosted by the country in nearly three decades. During the tournament, the Rizwan-led side failed to secure a single victory and suffered two losses against New Zealand and arch-rivals India. Their match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain. Additionally, Saqlain Mushtaq is expected to assume the role of the national cricket team’s head coach, with sources reporting that the former cricketer has agreed to the position after a meeting with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Meanwhile, several cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Tayyab Tahir, and Kamran Ghulam, are expected to be dropped from the squad. Players likely to be included in the team are Mohammad Haris, Sufiyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Irfan Khan Niazi, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abbas Afridi, and Jahandad Khan. It is important to note that Naqvi recently convened a meeting with selectors at the National Cricket Academy to discuss the team’s poor Champions Trophy campaign. During this meeting, Naqvi emphasized the need for a long-term vision, instructing selectors to build a team capable of sustained success rather than focusing on short-term results. The PCB is expected to make an official announcement regarding the new team composition in the coming days, ahead of Pakistan’s next international assignment. Earlier reports indicated that several senior players were contemplating taking a break from international cricket following their lackluster performances in the Champions Trophy. Key players such as Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Babar Azam were reportedly discussed in selection meetings, with some considering withdrawing from the tour to avoid the risk of being dropped.