Champions Trophy 2025: Defending champions Pakistan retain 15-man squad despite criticism

Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which the selection committee had announced on 31 January, was criticised for the inclusion of Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf as well as for picking Abrar Ahmed as the lone spinner. read more

The criticism of Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad intensified after the Mohammad Rizwan-led side lost the opening game of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand in Lahore. AP

Defending champions Pakistan have opted against making any changes to the 15-man squad it had picked recently for the ICC Champions Trophy despite facing criticism over the inclusion of certain players. The lack of front-line spinners in the squad as well as the inclusion of Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf in the provisional squad unveiled on 31 January led to many, including pace legend Wasim Akram, questioning whether this was the best XV for Pakistan’s title defence.

Advertisement

Adding fuel to fire was Pakistan’s 78-run defeat against New Zealand in the opening game of the ODI triangular series in Lahore on Saturday. The selection committee, which comprises ex-Pakistan cricketers Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafique along with former umpire Aleem Dar and analyst Hassan Cheema, had named the same set of players for the tri-series as the Champions Trophy.

Also Read | How a mistake by Pakistan selectors could cost hosts their Champions Trophy title defence

While many had questioned the logic behind including Shah and Ashraf for an ICC event despite the two all-rounders having not played international cricket for more than a year, the biggest criticism of the squad was Abrar Ahmed’s inclusion as the lone front-line spin option.

Despite facing flak, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the selectors have decided to stick with the existing squad and not make any last minute changes on Tuesday, 11 February – the deadline set by the ICC for teams to make alterations to their Champions Trophy squad.

“The same 15 players will represent Pakistan in the coming (Champions Trophy) tournament and if there is any injury problem with any player that will be dealt with according to the ICC tournament rules,” a PCB source told PTI.

“The selectors have reviewed the squad and feel it is the most balanced side for the 50-overs cricket no matter what happens in the tri-series,” he added.

Advertisement

The source added that pacer Haris Rauf is expected to play the tri-series final, if Pakistan qualify, as well as the Champions Trophy after suffering a muscle cramp during the match against New Zealand.

“He (Rauf) is being rested for tomorrow’s game against South Africa to allow him recovery time,” the source added.

Captain Mohammed Rizwan too had defended Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad, saying they did not need more than one specialist spinner as they would be relying mainly on their pace department to win them games for the next one month.

Pakistan had suffered a massive blow as in-form opener Saim Ayub, who had starred in the team’s historic ODI series whitewash in South Africa with two centuries in three matches, ruled out of the Champions Trophy. while fielding during the second Test against the Proteas in Cape Town.

Advertisement

Pakistan CT squad: Muhammad Rizwan (Capt) Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf.

Click here to read article