Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra has selected Pakistan's projected Playing XI for the coming Champions Trophy. In an unexpected turn of events, he shifted Babar to No. 3 following his opening stint in the recent tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Shifting Babar Azam to No. 3 position means a position in the opening slot. Aakash Chopra believes Saud Shakeel can shift up the batting order to pair with Fakhar Zaman at the top, and that will enable Babar to bat at his preferred position.

Aakash Chopra Playing XI for theICC Champions Trophy 2025 :

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Aakash Chopra players to watch :

Aakash Chopra selected three Pakistani players who would be the ones to watch. They are Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah, and Abrar Ahmed. All three of them are capable of delivering spin bowling with Abrar being the specialist.Chopra opted to take a solid line-up which has good options in the bowling unit. Still, there remains some doubt over Haris Rauf's availability who suffered injury in the tri-series.Abrar Ahmed is the lone specialist spinner in the team with Salman Ali Agha also expected to help him with his off-spin bowling. Khushdil Shah can also roll his arm over as he did in the recent tri-series.