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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday, January 31 finally announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. However, they were the last team to announce their preliminary squad for the marquee tournament, set to be played from February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.
In a notable move, Pakistan brought back top-order batter Fakhar Zaman, while Saim Ayub, who sustained an ankle injury during the Test series against South Africa, missed a spot. In a recent press conference, former Pakistan cricketer and legend, Wasim Akram was questioned about the host nation’s squad for the marquee tournament.
..bowling average is 100 and batting average is 9: Wasim Akram’s blunt take on Pakistan’s CT squad
Addressing the press conference on the sidelines of ongoing ILT20 in Dubai, the former Pakistan captain strongly criticised the selection of Faheem Ashraf and all-rounder Khushdil Shah. He also pointed out on the PCB picking only one spinner, drawing comparison with India, who have opted to go with three to four spinners.
“I haven’t had a close look at the squad but for instance Faheem Ashraf has come in the team, I wish him all the best, a talented cricketer, but in the last 20 matches, his bowling average is 100 and batting average is 9. He has come out of the blue. Khushdil Shah has also come out of the blue. We are taking only one proper spinner. I think India has named three-four spinners in the squad. There has to be a reason for that. But now the team has been selected, I wish Pakistan all the best,” Akram replied when asked about the team selection.
The former cricketer also highlighted the return of Fakhar Zaman, who was sidelined with a knee injury after making his last appearance in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA. “Thank God regular opener Fakhar Zaman is back in the squad. He is one of the main players in white-ball cricket in the world.”
The 58-year-old was also of the opinion that Pakistan’s white-ball skipper, Mohammad Rizwan should take the middle-order, whereas Babar Azam should come out to open. “I would like to see Mohammad Rizwan as a middle-order batter and Babar Azam as an opener, because he has a great technique. If he plays full 50 overs, he will hit a hundred and the team’s batting can revolve around him,” he continued.
Notably, the hosts, Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh and New Zealand. They will play the tournament opener against new Zealand on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi, followed by a match each against India (February 23) and Bangladesh (February 27).
Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 squad
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi