Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Rizwan is unhappy with Faheem Ashraf being named in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had included the all-rounder in their 15-member team out of nowhere. Before playing against New Zealand in the tri-series final, Faheem Ashraf hadn’t played an ODI since September 2023.
Many criticised PCB’s decision, including two former Pakistani captains, Rashid Latif and Wasim Akram. The former even hinted at the possibility that Faheem was a political pick rather than a merit selection. Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has also reiterated the same.
Is Rizwan unhappy with Faheem Ashraf’s selection?
He says that captain Mohammad Rizwan isn’t happy with Faheem being part of the ICC Champions Trophy squad. The all-rounder didn’t play against New Zealand and South Africa in group-stage matches, and when he was played in the final, he batted at number eight and bowled just 2.2 overs.
“Rizwan clearly showed he was not happy with Faheem Ashraf being included in the team. He didn’t give him the ball after just two overs and only used him again when the match was already lost,” Basit remarked.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that they were reviewing their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy after heavy scrutiny. However, the ICC deadline to make the changes was February 12. The team can be only tweaked now if a player is injured or the PCB seeks special permission from the ICC to chop and change.
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Pakistan’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 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
