ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Predicted XI for Pakistan

Middle-order

Babar Azam will be the key figure in Pakistan's middle-order

Babar Azam is settled in at no.3, having scored 436 runs in 8 games in 2017. Azam is Pakistan's leading batsman this year and his sound technique and impeccable form have seen him cement his spot in the middle-order. Azam is also seventh in the ICC ODI batsman's rankings going into the tournament.

Mohammad Hafeez should be the automatic choice at no.4 given that he can either play the anchor role or go hammer and tongs. The veteran batsman may be pushed by Haris Sohail or Fakhar Zaman, who is yet to debut in the format, for a spot in the eleven if Pakistan opt to go for a younger looking side.

Shoaib Malik, who is set to play his sixth Champions Trophy, the most by any player, is a sure shot at no.5. The veteran all-rounder played a vital role in the warm-up game win against Bangladesh and is also the last Pakistani to score a hundred in the tournament (128 against India at Centurion in the 2009 edition)

The skipper Sarfraz Ahmed will come in behind a packed top order and is a versatile batsman himself. With an ability to play shots all around the wicket, Sarfraz is equally adept against pace and spin. The wicket-keeper batsman should be followed by some all-rounders capable of hitting the long ball.