Pakistan Selectors Review Champions Trophy Squad!! Controversy Over These Two Players

Since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, questions raised over a few players’ positions. The national side was without some of their main players due to injury.

Just like every board, the Green brigade will also have time till February 12 to make any changes to the provisional squads that they picked for the event. The group games will take place in Pakistan, while India will play all of their games at the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

PCB chairman specks on Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi mentioned that the selection committee will review the national squad as a few players have gabbed controversial statements for their positions. He, however, defended the place of Khusdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf.

Also Read: India To Welcome Split Captaincy? These Two Individuals To Be Appointed For Tests And ODIs

He also stated that Mohammad Rizwan’s view was also taken in building the squad and no change is warranted in the 15-member side.

“The selectors have the right to review any squad they announce. Khusdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf have been included in the squad with the right intentions.” He replied to a question.

Naqvi highlighted that he didn’t have any say in the selectors’ work of picking the squad and whatever they felt would be good for the side in various conditions, they did.

“Yes, they are now reviewing the squad because they have time until February 12 to make changes if they want.” The interior minister of the country addressed.

Selectors under pressure with Faheem Ashraf and Khusdil Shah’s inclusion

The selectors have come under fire from many former players and analysts for recalling Khusdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf. The former’s last 50-over game for the side came in 2022 against Netherlands. The all-rounder has managed 199 runs in eight innings at an average of 33.16 and a strike rate of 94.76, with the best score of unbeaten 41 runs.

The batter hasn’t done anything special in the format for his return. In the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the batter cracked 298 runs in eight innings at an average of 59.60 and a strike rate of 175.29, thanks to two half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 73 runs. But that was in a different format and venue.

The same goes with 31-year-old Faheem, whose last ODI was against India during the 2023 Asia Cup. Despite getting overlooked for the ODI World Cup, the selectors called in back for the eight-team event.

Ashraf has featured in 33 ODI innings for Pakistan with the ball to celebrate 26 wickets at an average of 46.30, besides recording 224 runs at a strike rate of 81.75.

Pakistan leaves out Faheem Ashraf for tri-series opener

So many conceptions took place around Pakistan’s playing eleven for the first ODI. It started with the opening position. Fakhar Zaman was making his return to the national side since the 2023 ODI World Cup. He will partner with Babar Azam, who got the promotion for Saim Ayub's injury.

Also Read: Saim Ayub’s Expected Return Revealed By PCB Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025

Saud Shakeel is the best spin batter from the national side. But he couldn’t find a place in the eleven against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. They went with three pacers, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, on the side, besides keeping Abrar Ahmed as the lone spinner.

They also left out Faheem Ashraf from Pakistan's eleven but kept Khusdil at number four with Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha to follow. It will be interesting to see if they make changes to their Champions Trophy squad.