Pakistan has announced its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but not everyone is happy with the selections. Former captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has raised eyebrows over the inclusion of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah, questioning their sudden return to the team.
Faheem & Khushdil—‘Out of the Blue’?
Speaking on the sidelines of the ILT20, Akram didn’t hold back. He pointed out Faheem’s poor stats, stating: “Faheem Ashraf is in the team. I wish him all the best. [He is] a talented cricketer. But in the last 20 matches, his average bowling is 100 and his average batting is 9. He came out of the blue and Khushdil also came out of the blue.”
That’s a harsh reality check! If you’re picking players for a major tournament, form and performance should be key factors. But with numbers like these, their selection does seem questionable.
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Only One Specialist Spinner?
Akram also raised concerns about Pakistan taking just one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, for a tournament where spin might play a crucial role.
“We are taking one spinner, a proper spinner. I think India has ordered 3 to 4 spinners in their squad. There is a reason behind that they have selected this. Anyway, the team has been selected. I wish Pakistan team all the best,” he added.
Spin has always been a game-changer in subcontinental conditions. If other teams are stacking up on spinners, is Pakistan taking a risk by relying on just one?
Fakhar Zaman’s Return – A Relief!
Amidst the questionable selections, there was some good news—Fakhar Zaman is back! Akram was visibly relieved about this decision.
“Fakhar Zaman has been picked, thank God he is back in the squad. [He is] one of the main players in world cricket in white ball,” he further stated.
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With Saim Ayub out due to injury and Abdullah Shafique dropped for poor form, Pakistan’s opening pair is now a big question mark. Akram had an interesting suggestion—Babar Azam should open the innings.
“I would like to see [Mohammad] Rizwan as a middle order batter. And maybe tell Babar [Azam] to open. Babar’s technique is great. If Babar plays 50 overs, he will do 100 or 125, and with that the entire team’s batting will go. This is my opinion,” Wasim Akram said.
That could be a solid strategy! Babar’s technique is tailor-made for anchoring the innings, and opening the batting might give Pakistan the stability it needs at the top.
Pakistan’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Here’s the final squad:
📌 Mohammad Rizwan (wk)(c)
📌 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
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