The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set today as the final deadline for teams to submit their preliminary squads for the Champions Trophy.  

As per ICC regulations, teams must submit preliminary squad lists one month prior to the commencement of the support period. The support period for the Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 12.  

Sources indicate that Pakistan will follow the procedure and send the required names to the ICC. However, the country does not plan to publicly announce its preliminary squad.  

The final squad for the Champions Trophy will depend on the fitness of Saim Ayub. The team will only be finalized after a decision regarding his availability. Saim Ayub’s participation in the tournament hinges on his fitness, and the squad is expected to closely resemble the one selected for the recent tri-nation series.  

The final squad can be confirmed by February 11, after which ICC approval will be required.  

Before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan is scheduled to play a tri-nation series. Sources suggest that there will be minimal changes to the squad that faced South Africa in the series. Notably, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be given an opportunity in the tri-nation tournament.