Pakistan Spinner Levels Allegations On National Selectors Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan spinner, Usman Qadir, featured for his national side in 2023 during the Men’s Asian Games. But despite his great performances, he hasn’t cemented his place yet for the Mohamad Rizwan-led side.

In 21 T20I innings, the leg spinner grabbed 31 wickets at an average of 18.48 and a strike rate of 13.90 with the help of one four-wicket haul. His only ODI game came against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, when he bagged one wicket for 48 runs in nine overs.

Usman Qadir accuses PCB selectors of politics

Pakistan recently announced their 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 at home, where they neglected the spinner and went with Abrar Ahmed in the squad. Even in the last few series, Qadir hasn’t featured for the national side.

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The Lahore-born felt that a little opportunity could have helped him in becoming their main player. He named Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, and others who made a difference for the side.

“I didn’t get the chance. If I got the opportunity, then I would be the Pakistan team’s main player. The way Shadab, Nawaz, and Usma Mir played continuously, I could have made the same difference if I played in the same way.” Qadir expressed this in a recent interaction with SBS Australia.

He reckoned that the side is carrying a few specific players who haven’t scored or picked up many wickets in the last three years. Given their political power, they have always survived on the national side.

“Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is an issue of liking and disliking for the players. But if you look at the performance in the last three years, then it’s zero. The one with the power always gets the advantage. And I don’t like such things because I have stayed in this place for a long time.” Qadir noted.

Pakistan spinner reveals his plan

The Son of Abdul Qadir has been part of 49 innings in List-A cricket, where he picked up 68 wickets at an average of 32.73 and a strike rate of 34.3, thanks to the best bowling figure of 6/79 in an inning. He played two games for the Dolphins last year in the domestic 50-over contest.

Qadir fails to believe how he was dropped from the side, despite his consistent performance in the first three bilateral series.

“I generally try to stay away from the negative people. Only if you had given me the chance (it would have been different). I had the Man of the Series award in the first one in the second series, I got the most wickets before they eliminated me in the third series.” Qadir highlighted.

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“If you treat your players in such a way, then performance will only be like it’s coming. I am currently playing in the club and get my base in Sydney, and shall be playing only for that side. I have come to this part of the world so that I can secure mine and my children’s future.” The 31-year-old revealed.

Pakistan’s recent ODI form

Pakistan lost their last 50-over fixture against New Zealand in the tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy. Their pacers went for plenty, while none of the batters, apart from Fakhar Zaman, could spend time in the middle.

The Green Brigade earned three successive ODI series before that. They blew away Australia and Zimbabwe before registering the first bilateral ODI series whitewash in South Africa. They will hope to be better going into the eight-team event.