PCB Denies Political Influence in Squad Selection for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently announced the squad for both the ICC Champions Trophy and the Tri-Nation series. The Pakistan Cricket Board and the national selection committee have been facing criticism from the former cricketers.

Former cricketers accused the PCB and the selection committee of favoritism and political interference in the selection of the 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. But the PCB has strongly denied these claims. 

According to the reports, a PCB source dismissed the rumors and said there was no outside pressure on the selection process for both the Champions Trophy and the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI series, which will kick off on February 8 between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Where is Abdullah Shafique? A regular opener dropped! Why drop Haseeb, a better backup WK than Usman Khan?
Irfan Niazi dropped Why..?
No Sufiyan Muqeem, even when CT is in Asian conditions? Faheem Ashraf—what has he done lately? When was his last good ODI performance? Very poor… pic.twitter.com/yrkcjdbV5d

— Rana Salman (@rana_salman46) January 31, 2025

The PCB sources have also clarified that the selection committee made all decisions independently. Even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had no direct involvement in picking the squad for the Champions Trophy and Tri-Nation ODI series. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan was consulted but the final call was made by the selection committee only.

Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah were selected based on their recent performance, while Aamer Jamal was left out due to poor form. The playing XI for upcoming matches will be decided by the selection committee, with input from head coach Aaqib Javed and captain Mohammad Rizwan. Usman Khan has been named the backup wicketkeeper for the Tri-Nation ODI series.

Meanwhile, fans and former cricketers are disappointed over Aamer Jamal’s exclusion. However, sources say his recent dip in form led to his omission from the Champions Trophy squad. In the end, PCB sources dismissed all allegations of political influence in squad selection, calling them false and misleading.

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