Pressure Mounts on Selectors to Revise Pakistan’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy

The Pakistan selection committee has revealed a 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy beginning on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai. The team consists of a balance of young and experienced players with a few new faces and a few who have made a comeback to the team. However, there is a debate on the selection. Several have demanded a review of the decision as some surprising omissions have left the fans and former players confused about the selection process. Defending champions Pakistan will be looking to produce another good show, but the choice of the squad has already created a controversy.

There has been criticism from the media and former cricketers for the selection of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad. Both players were last called up to the team in 2023 and were not a part of the side in recent series plans. Ashraf, who has 26 wickets and 224 runs in his 34 ODIs, last played an ODI in the 2023 Asia Cup. Furthermore, the choice of only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, has been rather surprising, especially for spin-friendly conditions like those anticipated in the tournament. Abrar, a leg-spinner with just four ODIs to his name, will head up the spin attack even though he has hardly any international experience

As reported by Cricket Pakistan, the PCB selection committee has been told to go back and reconsider the squad for the Champions Trophy. This, in effect, tells the selectors to go back and check whether they have made any errors or have left out something. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi pointed out that the final decision will be up to the selectors.

"Sources suggest that recently, the selection committee was asked to review the announced squad. If there were any mistakes or shortcomings, they should be corrected. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has left the final decision to the selectors, as he does not want to interfere in their work." the source stated.

Allegations of Political Influence in Squad Selection

Some ex-cricketers have a feeling that political pressure and recommendations have been involved in the selection of certain players for the squad. These concerns were apparently taken to senior board officials but the selection committee has argued that all the players have been picked on merit only. However, the ICC has set February 11 as the deadline for any changes to the squad that can be done without having to explain the reasons for doing so. From then on, alterations can only be done for instance in case of an injury and with the approval of the technical committee.

As reported, data was used in the selection process but squad balance was missed. However, the selectors themselves realized this problem, which is why the squad was announced through a press release and not at a public event. Before the Champions Trophy, Mohammad Rizwan will be leading Pakistan in a tri-series with South Africa and New Zealand. The team will aim to continue from where they left off and will hope to win their fourth straight series away from home after defeating Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa.

Pakistan's Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.