Synopsis
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif criticizes the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, calling it a 'political selection', while Tanveer Ahmed describes it as a 'joke'. The inclusion of Faheem Ashraf raises eyebrows, and both ex-players question the selection committee's decisions based on recent performances.Key Takeaways
- Rashid Latif criticizes squad selection as political.
- Faheem Ashraf's inclusion raises questions.
- Tanveer Ahmed labels the squad a joke.
- Concerns over Pakistan's bowling strategy.
- Upcoming matches against New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh.
Mumbai, Feb 1 (NationPress) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has labeled the squad chosen for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 as 'a political selection' and criticized the national selection committee for making several unexpected choices. In the squad revealed on Friday, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf made a comeback after being absent for two years. His inclusion came as a surprise, especially with an old photo of him meeting former prime minister Nawaz Sharif being highlighted as the reason for his return.
“It seems a political selection,” claimed the outspoken Latif while speaking to Telecomeasia.net. “Faheem has no recent performance to warrant a selection and nor is his record impressive.”
Once a primary candidate for the white-ball team, Ashraf's recent performance has significantly declined. His ODI statistics indicate this decline, showing 26 wickets in 34 ODIs at an average of 46.30, and a batting average of only 10.66 over 24 innings with a top score of 28.
Sources informed Telecomasia.net that Aamer Jamal was initially favored for selection but was dropped last minute in favor of Ashraf. Other surprising inclusions include the return of all-rounder Khushdil Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, who has yet to debut in a one-day international.
Latif pointed out that Pakistan experimented with various new players during their successful tours in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa but did not retain them. “The squad has several players like Ashraf, Fakhar, and Saud Shakeel who were not part of the system on the last three tours and it's now up to the captain Mohammad Rizwan to select the best 11 which Imran Khan did in 1992 triumph and Younis Khan in 2009,” said Latif.
Latif expressed hope that the decision to use Babar Azam as an opener would yield positive results. “I think Babar will be useful as an opener but the main issue is who will take wickets in the overs 11-20 and then 31-40 which has been Pakistan's weakness in recent ODIs as we suffered badly in the 2023 World Cup in that area.”
“It's a joke,” remarks Tanveer Ahmed
Former fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed, who represented Pakistan in five Tests, two ODIs, and one T20I, described the squad as a 'joke.'
“We have selected a squad which is a joke in our conditions,” Tanveer told Telecomeasia.net. “Look at India, they have four quality spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Washinton Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel and we have what, just one spinner in Abrar Ahmed.
“This is a squad that is selected on perchi (recommendations) and for this, the selection committee will be responsible,” said Tanveer. “There was no need to change the squad that did so well on the last three tours.”
Pakistan achieved their first ODI series victory in Australia in 22 years, winning 2-1 against the hosts. They also triumphed 2-1 in Zimbabwe and recorded a historic 3-0 sweep in South Africa.
Tanveer questioned the exclusion of Sufiyan Moqeem, who performed well in recent matches, and criticized the decision not to include a genuine opener like Imam-ul-Haq.
He also dismissed selector Asad Shafiq's claim that Fakhar's opening partner would be determined by the selectors before each match.
“Fakhar’s opening partner could be either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel, depending on various factors such as conditions, opposition, and match strategy. Both players are highly capable at the top of the order, with Babar being particularly seasoned in the role, regularly opening in T20Is and did it in the last Test in South Africa,” Asad Shafiq was quoted as saying in the release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan will face New Zealand in their opening match of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on February 19, before taking on India in Dubai four days later. Their final league match will be against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.
