Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has expressed concerns regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) squad selection for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan will co-host alongside the UAE. The tournament is highly significant for Pakistan, not just as co-hosts, but also as a chance to reassert their dominance in white-ball cricket.
Shahzad voiced his concerns on social media, criticizing the squad’s lack of specialist spinners and questioning the team’s strategy in spin-friendly conditions. He highlighted that, given the tournament will be held in Pakistan and the UAE, where pitches typically favor spinners, the decision to include only one genuine spinner might prove detrimental.
Are you serious? Shehzad on Pakistan’s CT squad
“Only one genuine spinner in Champions Trophy squad and you are playing in Pakistan and UAE, are you serious?” Shahzad tweeted, referring to the selection of Abrar Ahmed as the lone specialist spinner, while part-time spin options like Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah are expected to support him.
Shahzad also highlighted the ambiguity in Pakistan’s opening combination, particularly with Fakhar Zaman returning to the squad. He voiced concerns over the decision to introduce two new openers directly into a high-pressure tournament.
“2 new openers will be playing directly in Champions Trophy. Fakhar making a comeback and we still don’t know who will open with him,” Shahzad remarked, emphasizing the need for a settled top order ahead of the tournament.
Another concern highlighted by Shahzad was the inclusion of Saud Shakeel without a defined role in the playing XI. “And where are you willing to adjust Saud Shakeel? Another one came directly into the Champions Trophy squad,” he questioned, hinting at a lack of strategic planning in squad selection.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
